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Technology transfer (TT) from universities to manufacturing firms is important for enhancing innovation performance (IP) and ultimately improving competitiveness. However, TT is hampered by bureaucracy, inertia, inefficiency, cognitive dissonance, and low research and development activity. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between TT from universities to manufacturing firms and their IP. This study was conducted based on Megnigbeto's (2018) triple helix game theory. A mixed-method approach was used. The independent variable was TT, measured in terms of technology spillover, networking, and the presence of accelerators and incubators within a firm's locality. The dependent variable was IP, measured through innovation output and innovation efficiency. This study used an explanatory sequential research design. The target population was manufacturing firms in Kenya, identified using a multi-stage sampling strategy. Primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, interview schedules, and checklists. Linear regressions, hierarchical multiple moderated regressions, structural equation modeling, and partial least squares were used to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that TT from universities significantly influences IP in manufacturing firms. Universities are important intermediaries of TT in manufacturing firms in Kenya because of their improved IP and competitiveness. Universities should create dynamic linkages with industries and adopt an engaged learning approach in their programs to create greater and more unique values for enhanced competitiveness and sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand for solving systemic problems has resulted in the need for new forms of innovation. Accordingly, the concept of innovation ecosystem has emerged. Ecosystems are intrinsically more fluid than networks, which set ups the need to understand and orchestrate the internal dynamics of innovation ecosystem in order to have successful innovation outcomes. The dynamics of ecosystems, however, is not well understood. In this paper the dynamics of innovation ecosystems has been studied by applying the methodology of system dynamics. The purpose of the study is to support the creation of innovation ecosystems and the orchestration of existing ecosystems so that they could be more successful. Key factors generating dynamics in innovation ecosystems were identified. They form the elements of the system dynamics model of innovation ecosystems. The causal loop structure between the model elements indicates how the key factors of dynamics influence the outcome of ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to show how activity theory in the socio-technical systems paradigm can assist in understanding and managing system innovation. We conceptualize sociotechnical systems to address societal needs as activity systems and system innovations as transformations of such systems. Transformations result from resolving contradictions that develop due to technical and social change within and between the activities carried out by various agencies to fulfill societal needs. Along this line, the explanation of system innovations focuses on identifying emerging contradictions, resolution initiatives, and their outcomes, whereas the governance of system innovations can be carried out by interactively developing policies through successive interventions to resolve contradictions. We demonstrate the employment of activity theory to understand the transformation of the recorded music socio-technical system towards streaming, as well as to facilitate the management of the transition of the olive oil-producing sector at the regional level towards a circular economy through the adoption of innovative waste-processing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]