University-Industry Collaboration in Agro-Biotechnology in Puebla, Mexico: Different Types of Social Capital for Innovation

Mexican universities have traditionally focused on basic science but they are today being pushed toward applications, technology transfer and innovation. There are, however, sectors and regions where university-industry links are emerging significantly.

This research seeks to explain specific factors involved in links between scientists and firms in the agro-biotechnology sector in the state of Puebla, Mexico. This topic has been insufficiently researched empirically in Mexico. 

A starting premise is that detecting and interpreting data on specific forms of knowledge flows between researchers and firms has proven to be difficult. However, the literature does emphasize the need to go beyond documenting patenting activity, as the main indicator of technological transfer, to documenting different types of interactions. Scientific collaboration is especially important in this respect. But there are other forms of interaction which are crucial in explaining innovation.

The objective of this research is to provide evidence of various types of social interaction and network building as drivers of innovation in the growing agro-biotechnology sector in one region in Mexico.

Our theoretical framework flows from the literature on the importance of social capital, collaboration and various other types of interaction for innovation. This is borne out by research on innovation in emerging economies.

This research contributes to the literature on the importance of informal and diverse interactions in explaining innovation. It specifically stresses the importance of research collaboration and previous experience by scientists in dissemination through informal and non-academic channels.

It addresses the need to identify and formalize different drivers of technological transfer and innovation to inform policy and university management.