NRU :: Browsing by Author "Nakamatte, Olivia"

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Interactions between Public Research Organizations and SMEs: A Case of Uganda Industrial Research Institute
(International Journal of Technoscience and Development, 2015) Nakamatte, Olivia; Lating, Peter Okidi; Muyanja, Charles
Knowledge Translation (KT) is important to understand how knowledge is transformed to economic value. This paper seeks to scrutinize the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and application of knowledge produced by Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI). Theoretically, the study relates to the area of public research organizations (PRO) – industry linkages with regard to knowledge uptake by the SMEs in LDCs. Through a case study approach, this paper contributes to the field of KT by discussing how interactions affect the usefulness of knowledge produced by research organizations. The study is based on original data collected through interviews carried out with UIRI researchers between November 2012 and January 2013. Knowledge Translation Indices were developed for sample projects. The findings revealed that both Mode 1 and Mode 2 types of knowledge generation existed, with the former leading to underutilization of knowledge or wasted results. Generally, KT is complex and cannot be achieved through linear relationships, thus, the study concludes that more interactions with the indigenous agro-processing SMEs will lead to industrial development.