Developing a Model for Enhancing Open Innovation in Universities Based on Inter-Sectoral Collaboration, Social Capital, and Knowledge Management
Keywords:
Open Innovation, Inter-Sectoral Collaboration, Social Capital, Knowledge Management, Universities, Structural Equation Modeling, Higher EducationAbstract
The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model for enhancing open innovation in universities based on inter-sectoral collaboration, social capital, and knowledge management and to examine the direct and indirect relationships among these variables. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of faculty members, educational managers, research administrators, and innovation and technology experts working in universities in Tehran. A total of 428 participants were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires measuring open innovation, inter-sectoral collaboration, social capital, and knowledge management. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24. After calculating descriptive statistics and correlation coefficients, the conceptual model was tested through structural equation modeling, and model fit was evaluated using standard goodness-of-fit indices. The results indicated that all relationships among the study variables were positive and statistically significant. Inter-sectoral collaboration had significant direct effects on social capital (β=0.65, p<0.001), knowledge management (β=0.58, p<0.001), and open innovation (β=0.28, p<0.001). Social capital also exerted significant positive effects on knowledge management (β=0.46, p<0.001) and open innovation (β=0.31, p<0.001). Furthermore, knowledge management demonstrated the strongest direct effect on open innovation (β=0.52, p<0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that knowledge management played a significant mediating role in the relationship between inter-sectoral collaboration and open innovation as well as between social capital and open innovation. The model exhibited satisfactory fit indices (CFI=0.96, TLI=0.95, RMSEA=0.058), and the proposed variables explained 73.4% of the variance in open innovation. The findings suggest that enhancing open innovation in universities requires simultaneous attention to strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration, fostering social capital, and establishing effective knowledge management systems. Knowledge management emerged as the most influential predictor and a key mechanism linking organizational interactions to innovation outcomes. Therefore, universities seeking to enhance their innovation capacity and societal responsiveness should adopt an integrated approach centered on collaborative networks, social relationships, and systematic knowledge management practices.
Downloads
References
Ancín, M., Zouaghi, F., & Sánchez, M. (2024). How Do Both Firm‐level Resources and Country‐level Competitiveness Shape the Relationship Between Alliance Portfolio Diversity and Radical Innovation? A Comparison Between the Food and Other Manufacturing Industries. Agribusiness, 42(1), 330-361. https://doi.org/10.1002/agr.21954
Ballesteros, V. B., & Torres, R. A. Z. (2025). Mapping the Conceptual Structure of Research on Open Innovation in University–industry Collaborations: A Bibliometric Analysis. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2025.1693969
Boonstra, J., & Eguiguren, M. (2023). Creating and Managing Alliances: A Dynamic View. 3-31. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035308231.00009
Chica, M. L. V. (2024). Knowledge and Technology Transfer in Latin American University Contexts. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.113244
Costantiello, A., Laureti, L., Leogrande, A., & Matarrese, M. M. (2021). The Innovation Linkages in Europe. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3983218
Dusdal, J., Zapp, M., Marques, M., & Powell, J. J. W. (2021). Higher Education Organizations as Strategic Actors in Networks: Institutional and Relational Perspectives Meet Social Network Analysis. 55-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/s2056-375220210000007004
Dzhengiz, T. (2020). A Literature Review of Inter-Organizational Sustainability Learning. Sustainability, 12(12), 4876. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12124876
Espinoza-Sánchez, R., Casillas, C. S. P., & Ortega, J. L. C. (2022). Impact of the 4 Helix Model on the Sustainability of Tourism Social Entrepreneurships in Jalisco and Nayarit, Mexico. Sustainability, 14(2), 636. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020636
Gaskins-Scott, T. (2020). Successful Global Collaborations in Higher Education Institutions. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, 9(1), 175-176. https://doi.org/10.32674/jise.v9i1.1709
Giraldi, L., Coacci, S., & Cedrola, E. (2023). How Relational Capability Can influence the Success Of business Partnerships. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(2), 601-628. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijppm-01-2022-0012
Kalinowska-Beszczyńska, O., & Prędkiewicz, K. (2024). MedTech Start-Ups: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Current Research Trends and Future Directions. PLoS One, 19(8), e0307959. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307959
Leitão, J., Pereira, D., & Gonçalves, Â. (2022). Business Incubators, Accelerators, and Performance of Technology-Based Ventures: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Open Innovation Technology Market and Complexity, 8(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc8010046
Lewkowicz, J., & Lewczuk, A. (2022). Innovation Through Collaboration. Ekonomický Časopis, 70(1), 36-56. https://doi.org/10.31577/ekoncas.2022.01.03
Li, W. (2025). Digital Innovation Networks for the SDGs: A Research Agenda for Higher Education Transformation. European Journal of Education, 60(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.70292
Lusha, E. (2024). National and International Collaboration and Its Impact on Economic Development. Interdisciplinary Journal of Research and Development, 11(1), 76. https://doi.org/10.56345/ijrdv11n111
McDonnell‐Naughton, M., & Păunescu, C. (2022). Facets of Social Innovation in Higher Education. 9-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84044-0_2
Melane-Lavado, A., & Álvarez‐Herránz, A. (2020). Cooperation Networks as a Driver of Sustainability-Oriented Innovation. Sustainability, 12(7), 2820. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072820
Mensel, E. V., Dentchev, N., Yordanova, Z., & Gonzalez, A. D. (2025). Effectuation at Work in Universities: Using What Is at Hand to Support Social Entrepreneurs. Business and Society Review, 130(3), 264-297. https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.70012
Orzhel, O., Trofymenko, M., Porkuian, O., Drach, I., Halhash, R., & Stoyka, A. (2023). Displaced Universities in Ukraine: Challenges and Optimal Development Models. European Journal of Education, 58(4), 629-646. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12581
Osma, J. I. P., & Abuchar-Porras, A. (2021). Open Innovation Factors for Higher Education Institutions. Aibi Revista De Investigación Administración E Ingeniería, 8(S1), 225-233. https://doi.org/10.15649/2346030x.2455
Pereira, B. A., Lohmann, G., & Houghton, L. (2021). The Role of Collaboration in Innovation and Value Creation in the Aviation Industry. Journal of Creating Value, 7(1), 44-59. https://doi.org/10.1177/23949643211010588
Piña-Stranger, Á., Varas, G., & Mobuchon, G. (2023). Managing Inter-University Digital Collaboration From a Bottom-Up Approach: Lessons From Organizational, Pedagogical, and Technological Dimensions. Sustainability, 15(18), 13470. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813470
Ricart, G., González, J. E. C., Papanikolaou, V., Santer, H., Clari, F., Sarris, N., Daele, P. V., & Tavernier, W. (2020). The Next Generation Internet Initiative. 217-253. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119632481.ch9
Roig, A., Sun‐Wang, J. L., & Sánchez, J. L. M. (2020). Barcelona’s Science Diplomacy: Towards an Ecosystem-Driven Internationalization Strategy. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-020-00602-y
Rossoni, A. L., Eduardo Pinheiro Gondim de, V., & Sbragia, R. (2024). Influence of Social Capital, Market Orientation, and Technological Readiness on Researchers’ Interactions With Companies. Future Business Journal, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-024-00359-9
Runiewicz-Wardyn, M. (2020). The Role Proximity Plays in University-Driven Social Networks. The Case of the US and EU Life-Science Clusters. Journal of Entrepreneurship Management and Innovation, 16(3), 167-196. https://doi.org/10.7341/20201636
Runiewicz-Wardyn, M. (2021). Social Capital and Social Networks in the Life Sciences Industry Clusters. An Analysis of Selected Case Studies. Economic and Regional Studies / Studia Ekonomiczne I Regionalne, 14(3), 279-293. https://doi.org/10.2478/ers-2021-0020
Runiewicz-Wardyn, M., & Eliashvili, T. (2022). Open Innovation Practices and Open Innovation Culture in the Life-Sciences Clusters. The Case of AstraZeneca. European Journal of Business Management and Research, 7(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejbmr.2022.7.1.1201
Runiewicz-Wardyn, M., & Leśniowska, J. (2023). Introducing the Open Innovation Model in Polish Biopharmaceutical Companies: Major Drivers and Barriers. Ekonomista(1), 51-77. https://doi.org/10.52335/ekon/161834
Seo, R. (2020). Entrepreneurial Collaboration for R&D Alliance Performance: A Role of Social Capital Configuration. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 26(6), 1357-1378. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijebr-01-2020-0023
Yang, K., & Huang, B. (2023). Research on the Collaborative Development of Higher Vocational Education in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC) From the Perspective of Curriculum Alliance (CA). Advances in Vocational and Technical Education, 5(9). https://doi.org/10.23977/avte.2023.050903
Yuan, S., Fu, Y. K., Wei, H., & Zhou, H. (2026). University–Industry Partnerships in the Age of Digital Marketing: Constructing Sustainable Higher Education Brands. European Journal of Education, 61(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.70521
Yulianti, P., Fahmy, R., Rivai, H. A., Lukito, H., & Syahrul, L. (2023). Open Innovation Mapping Based on Publisher Research Through Bibliometric Analysis. Jurnal Apresiasi Ekonomi, 11(3), 559-572. https://doi.org/10.31846/jae.v11i3.656
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohammad Mehdi Nooriyan, Sahebeh Salehi, Zoha Ghorbanejad, Kobra Babapur Roshan (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
