In the pursuit of better aligned approaches approaches towards university-business engagement on the institutional level, we still lack depth and understanding of the means and factors that enable external engagement. Undoubtedly, measurement of university engagement does occur; however, it invariably focusses on quantitative outcome metrics such as patents, licenses, spin-outs and research contracts, ignoring many valid forms of engagement and the mechanisms that need to be in place for it to occur. It is high time we should stop focusing on the narrowly-defined existing quantitative indicators and ask ourselves the question “What is the real extent to which universities are ready to cooperate and how can we enhance their readiness for a more successful engagement?’’
