Importance–Performance Analysis of Dimensions Improving the Effectiveness of University–Industry Collaboration: An Approach to Prioritizing Corrective Actions
Keywords:
Importance, Performance, Importance–Performance Analysis, Collaboration Effectiveness, University–Industry CollaborationAbstract
This study aimed to analyze the importance and performance of dimensions improving the effectiveness of university–industry collaboration in Iran and to determine priority corrective actions for policymakers and decision-makers in this field. This applied–developmental study was conducted using a descriptive–exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, 20 main dimensions improving the effectiveness of university–industry collaboration were identified through Sandelowski and Barroso’s seven-step meta-synthesis method and a systematic review of 32 articles on university–industry collaboration models in Iran. In the quantitative phase, two researcher-made questionnaires were developed to assess the importance and performance of these dimensions using a five-point Likert scale. The questionnaires were completed by 25 academic and industrial experts with more than 10 years of experience in university–industry collaboration. The reliability of the importance questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.84, and the reliability of the performance questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91. Data were analyzed using importance–performance analysis and the weighted gap index. The results showed that the overall mean importance score was 4.50, whereas the overall mean performance score was 2.10, indicating a substantial gap between perceived importance and existing performance. Based on the weighted gap index, the highest-priority dimensions were establishing a knowledge-based joint collaboration ecosystem with a weight of 18.34, adopting a participatory governance approach with a weight of 18.00, developing a sustainable financing system with a weight of 17.70, establishing an integrated secure online communication system with a weight of 17.13, promoting long-range joint collaboration with a weight of 16.98, creating a joint interactive platform with a weight of 16.84, establishing a promotion system for researchers and scholars with a weight of 14.29, and developing a joint research collaboration system with a weight of 13.31. The findings indicate that improving the effectiveness of university–industry collaboration in Iran requires strategic focus on dimensions with high importance and low performance. Prioritizing a knowledge-based ecosystem, participatory governance, sustainable financing, secure communication infrastructure, and long-term collaboration can guide policy reform, resource allocation, and the enhancement of university–industry interaction.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Mehdi Shayegani Madad (Corresponding author); Siyamak Noori, Amir Zakery (Author)
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