Date of Award

6-2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Educational Leadership, Research and Technology

First Advisor

Andrea Beach, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Louann Bierlein Palmer, Ed.D

Third Advisor

Joshua Merchant, Ph.D.

Keywords

Communication, higher education, industry, partnerships, tension, trust

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamics that influence tensions in industry–higher education partnerships and identifies effective navigation factors in sustainable partnerships. Despite the increasing prevalence, such partnerships face high failure rates due to inherent tensions. This research explores how partners from industry and higher education institutions successfully navigate these tensions using a qualitative case study approach.

This investigation employed a case study design with a multi-case two-by-two holistic matrix and an interpretive, constructivist framework. Data collection involved 16 semi-structured interviews with key individuals from nine higher education institutions and five industry organizations spanning healthcare, technology, consulting, real estate development, and accounting industries. This study focused on four-year U.S.-based higher education institutions partnered with for-profit enterprises in mutually beneficial relationships.

My analyses identified six primary tension dynamics: reputation, communication, trust, goals, priorities, and time horizons. Eight additional factors emerged as important for successful tension navigation: using common language, empathy, focusing on results, managing expectations, willingness to work together, transparency, getting the right people at the table, and a return-on-investment focus.

This study contributes to partnership theory and practice by revealing how partners effectively utilize these dynamics and factors to navigate tension. It establishes their successful use as the differentiator between thriving partnerships and failed collaborations. These findings provide a practical framework that can be used by institutions and industries seeking to develop partnerships capable of withstanding the inevitable tensions that emerge in such partnerships.

This research suggests that investing time, effort, and resources in understanding how to navigate partnership tensions can yield greater returns and stronger relationships. Furthermore, understanding how to leverage these tensions productively, rather than attempting to ignore or eliminate them, is critical for achieving the partnership’s potential. Successful partners navigated partnership tensions by thoroughly understanding and actively managing these dynamics; partnerships thrived when those involved recognized that identifying and leveraging these factors were crucial to their success.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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