New winds are blowing as the 20th Century draws to a close. Globalization of markets, increased attention to "clean" production technologies and practices, and super fast communications links, are a few of the factors that affect the business research. This publication paints a picture that helps us understand better, the search for competitiveness, and the role of learning and entrepreneurship in society. The nexus between cooperative regional market frameworks, privatization of research and emerging technologies form the backdrop for universities and business against which they must develop symbiotic relationships for mutual benefit. The author distinguishes different types of competitiveness – structural, sectorial and corporate, and links these to various models for successful entrepreneurship. The challenges facing universities and enterprises in their drive for better education and higher competitiveness respectively, are enunciated, with particular focus on Latin America. Here values and management practices reflect two very different cultures. Thus relations between university and industry must be guided by a flexible and decentralized policy environment. Mechanisms designed to raise the level of interaction between universities and industry should be innovative, both in a social and technical sense, and seek to bridge the relative gaps in knowledge and skills of both cultures. Analytical perspectives on the viability of various mechanisms are neatly presented in the paper.

Technology Innovation and Commercialization Series

Promoting and strengthening the linkages between university-based research and the business community is a subject of strong current interest to researchers, industrialists, financiers and practitioners from a variety of disciplines.

This set of publications aim to clarify and elaborate the salient issues which confront all those who operate within this global science and technology arena.

Essential reading for managers of research, policy-makers and industrialists. Also ideal for participants in research management training.