Thematic analysis of barriers to university-industry cooperation

Today, the favorable relationship between industry and academia as an efficient category for socio-economic development and the success of a society's future plans has become an undeniable necessity. The relationship between industry and the university, given the role that these two institutions play in society, requires special mechanisms that can not be enjoyed without addressing them and without creating the right context. This article seeks to answer the question of what are the barriers to university-industry cooperation? In this regard, according to the context and conditions of the higher education system (universities) and its interaction with industry and also due to the interdisciplinary nature of university-industry cooperation, a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method was selected as the research method. By thematic analysis and using semi-structured interviews, information was collected from seventeen experts and faculty members of the university as well as managers of growth centers, university-industry relations office and entrepreneurship centers in the field of industry, university and commercialization. Data were analyzed by open and centralized coding method. Research results indicate barriers; University restrictions include industry restrictions, cultural barriers, organizational, operational barriers, and political-legal barriers. Finally, conclusions and suggestions for developing the university's cooperation with industry are presented.