Abstract

University–Industry Collaboration (UIC) has been a well-established field of research for over 50 years, offering valuable insights into best practices, precursors, and supporting factors. Importantly, it recognizes industry partners as proactive contributors. However, a comprehensive understanding of how the industry itself approaches UIC remains limited. To address this gap, the present study investigates collaboration strategies used by industry when engaging with higher education institutions (HEIs). It defines ideal types of industrial collaborators and illustrates their distinctive engagement approaches. In doing so, it sheds light on how enterprises structure their partnerships with academia. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative, inductive approach. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with senior managers and strategic decision-makers from large enterprises actively engaged in academic collaboration. For analytical rigor, we followed the method outlined by Gioia et al. (2013). Subsequently, we developed a typology using the framework proposed by Doty and Glick (1994). As a result, the analysis introduces a novel typology of industrial collaboration ideals. This framework enhances our understanding of the complex and multidimensional nature of UIC from the industry’s perspective. Moreover, it allows for a more nuanced exploration of the different ways companies approach university partnerships. In particular, we identify key variations in organizational strategy, collaboration infrastructure, and support mechanisms that enable effective engagement with academic institutions. These differences highlight divergent approaches in how collaborations are designed, implemented, and sustained. Ultimately, this study provides critical insights into the often-overlooked industry viewpoint within the Triple Helix framework. Therefore, it offers a benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of collaborative practices and lays the groundwork for refining and optimizing future UIC strategies.