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2. University Employees’ Perceptions of Innovation : Evidence from the BIKE-HEI Project First Training ProgrammeKlara Čalušić, Simona Kustec, 2026, professional article Abstract: Universities are increasingly recognised as proactive actors in fostering innovation, contributing to regional growth, driving economic development, and enhancing social welfare. This paper explores perceptions of innovation and related knowledge among academic and non-academic university employees, based on data collected through an online questionnaire administered during a training course on innovation ecosystems offered within the BIKE-HEI project. The findings indicate that university employees generally perceive their innovation-related knowledge as relatively strong, with both academic and non-academic staff reporting high levels of intrinsic motivation to engage in innovation, as well as a clear aspiration to create meaningful impact. Among the barriers to acquiring additional knowledge and engaging in innovation-related work, respondents emphasise work-related constraints, including limited time, administrative and financial burdens, insufficient specialised knowledge of innovation, and a perceived general resistance to change within universities. These findings are consistent with existing theoretical and empirical research supporting the innovation and entrepreneurial orientation of universities, and they highlight the need to strengthen institutional support and create conditions that foster employees’ engagement in innovation-related activities.
Keywords: innovation, university employees, governance, survey, BIKEHEI project
Published in RUP: 09.06.2026; Views: 253; Downloads: 11
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5. Enhancing knowledge and technology transfer : determinants and indicators of successful university–industry collaborationJana Hojnik, Štefan Bojnec, Simona Kustec, Vaida Zemlickienė, Zenonas Turskis, 2026, review article Abstract: Both universities and companies create value and innovation to maintain their position and remain competitive. Different, but still similar, with two goals that are shared. With their collaboration, they can enhance their pursuit of sustainability and as well corporate social responsibility by creating and delivering value and thus contributing to the well-being of society. This paper thus examines the determinants and indicators of successful university–industry collaboration (UIC) in the context of knowledge and technology transfer. The purpose of the research is to identify key factors that drive effective UIC and to establish measurable indicators for evaluating the performance of this collaboration. The paper aimed to understand not only what drives UIC but also how to measure its effectiveness. So, an exploratory, theory-building approach, adopting a systematic literature review is applied. By focusing on the determinants and measurable outputs of UIC, the paper provides insights into the strategic importance of measuring knowledge and technology transfer for a wide range of stakeholders involved in it. UIC for universities is a part of their third mission and their CSR, while with respect for companies, UIC is a result of practicing open innovation and pursuing corporate social responsibility. While consolidating these dimensions, the study also develops a holistic input–output indicator framework that not only clarifies how collaboration is initiated and structured but also how it can be evaluated in practice.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, indicators, innovation policy, knowledge and technology transfer, sustainability, technology transfer office (TTO), university–industry collaboration (UIC)
Published in RUP: 13.04.2026; Views: 566; Downloads: 12
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6. Social Innovation at Universities : Mapping Roles, Research Content Directions, Challenges and ImplicationsDesislava Yordanova, Simona Kustec, original scientific article Abstract: Social innovation has emerged as a transformative paradigm as well as a potential solution for addressing complex societal challenges, be it from the issues of inequality, better living conditions, to climate change, and digitalisation. However, despite the growing academic as well as also political attention, its theoretical framing and institutional embedding remain fragmented. Universities, through their roles as knowledge producers, educators, and civic actors, hold one of the central and unique positions in shaping social innovation ecosystems. This article explores how universities can contribute to social innovation, what institutional and systemic barriers limit their engagement, and how they can strategically integrate social innovation within their missions. Combining bibliometric analysis and qualitative synthesis, this paper maps the evolution of research on this topic, identifies key conceptual trends, and outlines pathways for future orientations. The findings reveal that while universities act as important catalysts for societal transformation, their systemic impact remains constrained by structural and also political inertia. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to strengthen social innovation capacities of the universities roles and missions for social innovation.
Keywords: social innovation, universities, knowledge transfer, bibliometric analysis
Published in RUP: 11.03.2026; Views: 566; Downloads: 21
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