TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER COLLABORATIONS and ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION: A STUDY ON YTU TECHNOPARK

Abstract

This study aims to explore the relationship between different types of collaborations and organizational innovation in technoparks. Data was collected through survey from Yıldız Technical University Technopark, Istanbul, Turkey employers and employees. Implications of this study may contribute to better understanding of collaborations that improve innovative activities in technoparks. The results of the study shows that collaboration of firms with university has significant effect on behavioural innovation and strategic innovation; collaboration of firms with each other has significant effect on product-marketing innovation, and their collaboration with Technopark Administrative Office has significant effect on strategic innovation. It is also found that firms collaborate mostly with university and technopark administrative office, and that the most frequently observed type of innovation in technopark is behavioural innovation. According to findings, technopark companies do not very often make collaborations with university or other parties. However, they are found to have a good level understanding and application of innovation. It is also worth examining the other sources of innovation in technoparks rather than collaborations.