Contribution of Sri Lankan State University Staff to Knowledge Exchange Between Universities and Industry

Abstract

Many studies have been attempting to solye the acisting debate on knowledge exchange between university and industry and the role of the university in the lastfew years. However, still, inconclusive arguments have been going on the topic. Therefore, the study hopes to spark the bumtng debate on lmowledge etcchange between university and industry through academics' contribufion. Accordingly, the study organized empirical facts and findings around joint researches, controct researches, human resource mobility, and training that y eqsily knowledge moves from university to industry, and on which finalized ' the study scope developingfour directional hyp,6il7ss.t connecting knowledge achange p!,qc:ss with aforementioned dimensions. First-hand data were gathered through an e-mail survey from the academic staff of narional state universities g_nd ftave them processed through the SPSS sofiware package. Bosic descriptive statistics and infermtial data analysis tests were employed on the data to assess the academic contribution to the lcnowledge exchange process. lllrc stufistics highlighted that the overall involvement of academic ' staff in joint wbrks'; contract works, human resoarce mobility, and the training tilith industry are yery) low in Sri Lanka. The regression results of the sady confirmed'ihe siS'iificant impact of joint resedrch works and training on the futowledge ixchailge process between universities and industry in the Sri Lankan conteJct. Thus, uniyersities'should,develop a more Jtuibte and convenient policy package to promdte jciint research work and training to uplifi the cantribution of aca&inic staffthto industry matters effectively.