Qualitative sub study of the DEKiF Project 

The project Determinants and Effects of Collaboration in homogeneous and heterogeneous Research Clusters (DEKiF) focuses on the potential of university and entrepreneurial collaboration in the form of linked resources, personalities, competencies, and exchanged experiences as well as perspectives. Apart from these positive effects, the mixed methods study further highlights the increasing challenges that collaborating companies and universities have to face.
The explorative case study of homogenous and heterogenous research cooperation investigated if the theoretical and previously elicted problems, solutions, and conditions are differentiated sufficiently or if other parameters have to be considered (case study 1).
The advanced case study of heterogenous research clusters investigated cooperation between universities and companies in expert interviews as well as in focus group discussions (case study 2). Research clusters with large-scale companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) were included. Apart from that, different sizes or degrees of network complexity were considered in choosing research clusters. The aim was to examine the specific structure of the cooperation problems in applied research clusters and the experience with solutions, especially in regard to the different phases of cooperation, more precisely. Additionally, the different expectations of the interviewees regarding the performance was examined, for example with regard to publications, patents, and the qualification of the scientific offspring.