COOPERATION BETWEEN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISES IN JAPAN: IMPLICATIONS FOR VIETNAM

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical foundations, institutional evolution, and operational mechanisms of cooperation between public universities and private-sector firms in Japan and draws implications for Vietnam. Based on a literature review and comparative case analysis, and drawing on the Triple Helix model, the resource-based view, and transaction cost theory, the study clarifies the enabling role of government, university autonomy, technology licensing offices (TLOs), long-term research collaboration, the commercialization of research outcomes, and human resource development aligned with business needs. The findings indicate that effective cooperation depends on the alignment of the institutional framework for intellectual property, risk-sharing funding mechanisms, professional intermediary organizations, and long-term business investment. In the Vietnamese context, the article identifies bottlenecks in public asset management, intellectual property valuation, technology transfer capacity, research and development (R&D) investment, and the alignment of education with labor market needs. On this basis, the study recommends improving the legal framework, strengthening university autonomy while ensuring accountability, professionalizing TLOs, using public funding as seed capital, promoting long-term research collaboration, and developing training programs co-designed by universities and businesses.