Innovation Capability of Biomedical Engineering Enterprises Through Collaboration with Universities and R&D Institutions
Purpose: To examine the innovation capability of biomedical engineering enterprises in relation to cooperation with universities and R&D institutions. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study combines a literature review with a descriptive analysis of 80 complete questionnaires from biomedical engineering enterprises in Poland’s Silesian Voivodeship. Data were collected through computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI) supported by telephone contact. Reported percentages describe innovation activity, research cooperation, technological outcomes, financing, support needs and green transformation plans, with multiple-response items interpreted separately from the single-response cooperation-frequency item. Findings: Product innovations new to the enterprise predominate (76.3%), whereas innovations new to the international market are uncommon (3.8%). Medical universities in the Silesian Voivodeship are the most frequently reported research partners (71.3%). Cooperation commonly involves recurring grant projects (45.0%) and publicly co-financed joint R&D (61.3%). Reported technological outcomes include ready-to-implement devices (26.3%) and software modules or AI algorithms (25.0%). Own funds alone finance development activity in 51.3% of firms. Planned green transformation activity is reported by 77.5%. Practical Implications: The reported patterns suggest scope for strengthening durable research partnerships, simplifying grant procedures and improving access to regulatory advice and clinical testing environments. Originality/Value: The paper brings together theoretical perspectives and descriptive sector evidence on research relationships, technological outcomes, financing and planned environmental investment. The descriptive findings characterise reported patterns rather than establish causal effects.