Institutions and practice in cross-sector research collaboration: conceptual considerations with empirical illustrations from the German science sector

This article introduces a framework for analysing the interplay of institutions and practice for cross-sector research collaboration (CSRC) between science and industry. The German science sector, which has been reformed to a remarkable degree during the last 10 years, is used as an empirical case study. The article assesses the impact of selected recent reforms on the stimulation and outcome of CSRC. In general, positive impacts on CSRC in terms of governance, scope and rewards are expected. However, some of the reforms are yet to be fully implemented and some even conflict with existing practice. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.