University-Industry Collaboration, Learning and Innovation in Africa: Analysis with Open Knowledge Production Model

Abstract

This study aims at analyzing the relationships between university-industry collaboration, learning, and innovation in the context of the openness of the knowledge production model. The autoregressive vector panel estimation technique was used over the period 2006 to 2017 after the elaboration of an open knowledge production model. The results show that, the past values of university-industry collaboration in research development have a positive effect on both innovation and learning via respectively business sophistication and high education and training. In addition, these past values also improve the quality of Mathematics and science education and the growth of internet access in school contrary to the availability of scientists and engineers on which they have a negative effect. Thus, with respect to innovation policy, the African universities must transform themselves into entrepreneurial universities so that the availability of scientists and engineers can contribute to strengthening the effects of universityindustry collaboration on learning and innovation in Africa.

Keywords: Research and Development, Learning, Innovation, Africa

JEL Classification: O32, O31, O55