An integrated knowledge transfer framework for enhancing international university-industry collaboration in novel sanitation technology development

Approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide lack access to safe sanitation services, a challenge that demands innovative solutions. University-industry collaborations (UICs) are increasingly recognised as a means to develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies addressing such global issues. However, these partnerships face complexities in transitioning lab-based inventions to market-ready products, especially during the critical stages of technology development and refinement. This thesis presents an integrated knowledge transfer framework for international UICs, focusing on the development and commercial handover of novel sanitation technology. Through a series of interconnected studies, the research explores the micro-level interactions and processes within the execution phase of international UICs. The framework synthesises insights from three key studies: field testing dynamics in cross-cultural settings, which reveals the effectiveness of diverse team structures in different geographical contexts; a novel iterative development process (ERDE: Experimenting, Reviewing, Distributing, Executing), which provides a structured approach to capturing and integrating multi-modal feedback from dispersed partners; and the role of physical and digital boundary objects in technology and knowledge synchronisation across dispersed partners, highlighting the challenges and successes of alignment between university and industry collaborators. Each study contributes unique insights: the field testing research informs practices for geographically dispersed collaborations; the ERDE framework addresses challenges in the technology ‘Valley of Death’ by facilitating decentralised development; and the boundary object study emphasises the need for adaptive communication strategies across cultural and institutional boundaries. By examining a range of critical activities in technology development, this research contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical management of knowledge transfer in international UICs. The integrated frameworks offers a comprehensive approach to navigating the complexities of geographically dispersed innovation processes and facilitating knowledge alignment within international collaborations, particularly for technologies intended for diverse global contexts. This work has implications for academics, practitioners, and policymakers involved in developing and transferring innovative technologies across institutional and international boundaries to achieve far-reaching societal impact