The use of UIC of SMEs in the German pharma sector : Whether and how SMEs in the German pharmaceutical sector use and live partnerships with universities for their innovative strength
Bietsch, Franka Elisa (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025100225494
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025100225494
Tiivistelmä
Innovation plays a vital role in ensuring the competitiveness and long-term success of pharmaceutical companies, particularly in an industry that is both knowledge-intensive and heavily regulated. While larger firms typically have the resources for in-house research and established partnerships with universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face greater challenges.
This thesis explores whether and how German pharmaceutical SMEs collaborate with universities to strengthen their ability to innovate. Based on qualitative interviews with representatives from selected SMEs, the study examines how these partnerships are structured, how actively they are pursued, and what benefits and obstacles they bring.
The research draws on theoretical frameworks such as Open Innovation, the Triple Helix Model, and the Resource-Based View to better understand how these collaborations function and what makes them successful.
The goal is to identify key success factors and common barriers in academic-industry partnerships, and to offer practical recommendations for SMEs, universities, and policymakers to help foster stronger innovation networks within the German pharmaceutical sector.
This thesis explores whether and how German pharmaceutical SMEs collaborate with universities to strengthen their ability to innovate. Based on qualitative interviews with representatives from selected SMEs, the study examines how these partnerships are structured, how actively they are pursued, and what benefits and obstacles they bring.
The research draws on theoretical frameworks such as Open Innovation, the Triple Helix Model, and the Resource-Based View to better understand how these collaborations function and what makes them successful.
The goal is to identify key success factors and common barriers in academic-industry partnerships, and to offer practical recommendations for SMEs, universities, and policymakers to help foster stronger innovation networks within the German pharmaceutical sector.