Corporate and Industry Engagement Functions

This report examines three models of corporate and industry engagement functions and institutions: an integrated model for corporate relations, a concierge service for corporations, and a decentralized structure that embeds corporate relations in separate institutional offices and departments.

Summary This report examines three models of corporate and industry engagement functions and institutions: an integrated model for corporate relations, a concierge service for corporations, and a decentralized structure that embeds corporate relations in separate institutional offices and departments. The research brief outlines motivations, costs and benefits, and recommendations to coordinate, deepen, and expand corporate engagement. Key observations from our research: 1. Corporate relations offices provide direct access to institutional talent, research, and campus-born technologies, and facilitate communication across institutional departments and units. 2. Embedded corporate relations staff meet regularly to craft and coordinate development, research, and technology transfer strategies. 3. Employ Network of Academic Corporate Relations Officers (NACRO) tiers and objective metrics to track corporate relations throughout the engagement life cycle. 4. Selectively contact and follow-up with corporations with vested strategic interests in institutional research and technological strengths. DOWNLOAD THE REPORT