Abstract:
Some of the most transformative innovations in the life-sciences have originated from public research institutes (PRIs) and gone on to be commercialised by life-science multinational companies (MNCs). Macro-environmental factors in both academic and life-science industries have influenced the increasing propensity for MNCs and PRIs to engage in earlier stage research collaborations with one another. This study seeks to investigate the motivations driving both types of organisations to engage in these collaborations.There is already substantial literature that explores the motivations behind academic-industry relationship (AIR) formation, conducted in a variety of theoretical paradigms, but there is not yet sufficient literature that studies these relationships from a pluralistic perspective or through a behavioural theory lens. AIRs are innately multi-faceted and focussing on one party may miss valuable insights. Behavioural theory is commonly used to assess R&D and other strategic decisions but has not yet been used to analyse the motivations behind MNC-PRI collaborations. This study responded to these shortfalls by adopting a pluralistic approach and analysing findings through a behavioural lens. Three case studies with two matched interviews from both MNC and PRI sides of the alliances were conducted. The analysis of the case studies found that the MNCs were motivated to instigate alliances with the PRIs for three main reasons. To acquire IP, access complementary capabilities and resources and to have an impact on society. The TTOs were motivated to source revenue, to impact society and to access complementary capabilities and resources. The findings indicated that motivations seemed to align at a broad level but there were often different influences and pressures affecting these motivators that could result in potential misalignments at inter-organisational and intra-organisational levels. This study contributes to the alliance formation literature by adding to understanding of the motivations behind academic-industry relationships and contributes to industry by providing insights into the motivations behind alliance formation and potential misalignments to be aware of.
