Academic collaboration with industry: Case studies from health care delivery operations

Abstract Business and engineering scholarship's relevance largely relies on its practical applicability. As health care delivery grows to represent a major portion of the global economy, its distinct culture and unique challenges necessitate stronger relationships between health care practice and academia. This paper explores academic collaborations with the health care delivery industry, emphasizing the compelling benefits for health care organizations (and their patients), researchers, and students in the context of care delivery operations. Through four case studies, and by drawing upon our experiences as a diverse set of operations scholars, we highlight successful models of collaboration between operations academia and health care institutions. These models enable many of the benefits realized, such as reductions in patient wait times and visit lengths, more equitable physician scheduling, faster ambulance dispatch, and reduced surgical appointment cancellations, among others, while also improving relevance for students and practical application for theory. While the potential benefits are clear, challenges persist, often emanating from cultural differences, funding uncertainties, and the nuances of industrial vs. academic objectives. However, when navigated effectively, these collaborations can advance both sectors, bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. Drawing from existing literature and supplemented by rich case study evidence, this article offers guidance for care institutions and individual scholars seeking to establish and foster similar partnerships. By delineating the parameters of successful collaborations and drawing from a diverse portfolio of experiences, this paper hopes to encourage and enable more synergistic efforts, potentially transforming health care operations and leading to improved outcomes for patients, institutions, and academia.