Interinstitutional networks in the perspective of the triple helix: a case of a south Brazil public university

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze university actors' perception of inter-institutional partnerships, from a municipal public university's perspective, as a triple helix member. The qualitative approach was initially adopted, which consisted of mapping the inter-institutional partnership networks through agreements between companies, government, and University (triple helix). A quantitative approach based on Rodrigues's research was used; Esther and Andrade (2017) used descriptive analysis, multivariate technique (Cronbach's alpha, calculation of mean and standard deviation of dimensions) multicriterial utilizing the method of information entropy. The main results showed that in the perception of university actors, it is the University's role to offer teaching, research, and extension, to produce and disseminate knowledge; There is a lack of clarity among respondents as to whether the relationship between the University and the external environment may pose risks to the University. Moreover, it was found that the dimensions that obtained the highest scores on the scale were: "the reasons that lead the university to approach companies and governments" (Dim. 3), and "the purpose of the university to seek partnerships, under the perspective of resource dependence" (Dim. 4).