0.5 Results  (Page 8/20)

From [link] it can be observed that the respondents involved in the TX/UK Collaborative have generally more open attitudes. For example, a significantly greater proportion of TX/UK respondents participate in groupings with the express intention of collaborating. Furthermore, although both cohorts have a propensity to collaborate, those academics from within the TX/UK Collaborative have a higher propensity to value fields outside their areas of expertise.

Academic research collaborations with industry

[link] presents weighted total of companies worked with by each cohort over the past four years, adjusted by size of cohort. The following key observations can be made from these data:

• The above data present an encouraging perspective suggesting that on average each Control cohort Academic has been working with three companies while TX/UK counterparts have been working with ca. 4 companies.
• This positive level of engagement demonstrates definite alignment between the activities of both academics and industrial partners.
• Both the control and TX/UK participants see engagement as reciprocally relevant yet the TX/UK Participants are more engaged however this does not seek to consider any potential factors such as nature of the academics involved “e.g., Seniority”.

[link] represents the weighted percentage of respondents who have worked with companies over the past four years. The following observations can be made:

• A far greater proportion of the TX/UK cohort engaged with companies over the course of this four-year phase, with a 45% higher propensity to be engaged with industry.
• It can be highlighted that in both cohorts that there is nowhere near a majority, meaning that there is still significant work to be done for academic-industrial collaboration to become fully embedded across the institutions.

[link] presents the “the repeat business” phenomenon to investigate whether collaborations lead to further work. The following key observations can be made:

• Collaborations from both cohorts have lead to follow on business. However it can not be drawn from the data as to whether this stems from limited or significant prior work. Those which lead to further work demonstrate that value found by both partners leading to ongoing relationships.
• It can be seen that there is an 80% greater likelihood of repeat engagement with the TX/UK Collaborative participants. This represents a significant advantage for developing strong relationships.

Over the course of the past four years there has been significant investment in facilities across the Swansea University campus. [link] represents percentage of follow-on collaborations from each cohort based on the facilities, which they work within over the past four years. It can be seen that:

• The role of facilities in enabling collaboration appears greater amongst TX/UK respondents. Within the TX/UK cohort that there is a 93% greater emphasis on the facilities which the cohort work with being a facilitator to further collaborations.
• The importance of facilities to enable collaboration is however remarkably low, suggesting that other factor(s) are of significantly greater importance
• However, with this is in mind, it can still be seen that within both cohorts that the facilities are recognised by the stakeholders as enabling.
• Inclusive to this it could be said that the facilities are important to both the academics and industry.