Investigating the configurational pathways to successful education-focused university-industry collaboration in China

This study investigates the pathways to successful education-focused university-industry collaboration (EUIC) using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), followed by semi-structured interviews to deepen the interpretation of the quantitative findings. The analysis identifies two distinct configurational pathways associated with high-quality EUIC: One is an “Institutional - Collaborative Practice - Framework” pathway and the other is a “Culture - Resources” pathway. The first reflects an externally driven logic. External policies provide the initial impetus for collaboration. Institutional design then ensures appropriate resource allocation and the implementation of joint educational activities. As such, cooperation can succeed even without strong cultural consensus. The second reflects an internally driven logic. Cultural consensus serves as the primary internal driver of collaboration. Resource investments supply the necessary support, enabling effective EUIC even with limited external support. Additionally, the study examines configurations associated with low-quality EUIC, revealing that the absence of key foundational conditions is strongly associated with low-quality collaboration. Overall, this study fills the gap in understanding how various factors interact to create successful EUIC pathways and provides practical recommendations for EUIC administrators.