Strategic partnerships for effective collaboration
A strategic partnership can be defined as an extensive and formalized partnership with an external partner that encompasses a large proportion of a university’s activities. But how does that work?
Definition
A strategic partnership can be defined as an extensive and formalized partnership with an external partner that encompasses a large proportion of a university’s activities. A strategic partnership should be a long-term commitment characterized by diverse collaboration formats and activities and with objectives that are in line with the long-term strategies of both the university and external partners. A strategic partnership is also characterised by the commitment and participation of high-level management, both at the university and from external partners, as well as by common strategic objectives that provide mutual benefit and that which neither part can achieve alone.
What characterizes a strategic partnership?
A strategic partnership with an external partner is built on mutual trust and commitment and a respect for the driving forces and motivations on both sides. These together with a well-functioning governance and an understanding of each other’s processes and ways of working create the conditions for long-term and fruitful collaboration.
Methods being developed
The project is designed on sharing experience and creating best practice tools for establishing, managing and improving strategic partnerships with different external organisations in the public and private sectors.
Sixteen Swedish higher education institutions with various levels of experience of working with strategic partnerships are together creating a handbook to guide other academia professionals as to what needs to be considered in working with long-term strategic partnerships. This includes defining how strategic partnerships differ from other collaboration initiatives based on an understanding of driving forces and defined criteria. The people, skill-sets, functions and processes necessary for working with strategic partnerships are also being mapped.
This project is developing structured working methods and tools for strategic partnerships, including the necessary prerequisites and criteria for establishing and managing such partnerships. Insights into how to address ethical issues, as well as anchoring and communicating about strategic partnerships have been included.
Deliveries in the form of a tutorial guide, a canvas tool for strategic partnerships, as well as a risk assessment template are being prepared and will be available this fall.
The process
The people, skill-sets, functions and processes necessary for working with strategic partnerships are also being mapped.
Goal of Strategic Partnership
In Strategy 2030, the goal of Strategic Partnership is for KI to be an active party in the national arena, both providers and users of the national infrastructures established in Sweden, and drive their development. This gives researchers in Sweden the opportunity to gain access to expertise and techniques in the absolute front line. The same applies to major national cooperation initiatives focusing on medical research.
Contact
Interested in new strategic partnership approaches? Contact: