Research on the knowledge creation process of the university-Industry collaboration: A case from China

This paper elaborates theories of intra-organizational knowledge creation by exploring the knowledge conversion processes of University-Industry collaboration in Chinese contexts. To describe the knowledge conversion tendency, a theoretical framework is developed by reference to Boisot (1995)'s information space. The application of the framework is described in the exploratory case study of computer aided engineering (CAE) system for vibration analysis. Analysis of the results suggests that seven certain stages can be especially indicative of cross-organizational knowledge creation, namely: Demand codification, knowledge gain, knowledge digestion, knowledge sharing, knowledge propagation, knowledge spillover, and knowledge degeneration. And a new knowledge creation theory: GDSP knowledge creation theory which enriches and advances the typical socialization externalization combination internalization (SECI) knowledge creation theory in some aspects is proposed. Furthermore, the paper concludes with a discussion of the theoretical implications of this model and suggestions for further research.