INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA COLLABORATION: THE IMPACT OF ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

This article sought to identify barriers to stakeholder engagement in Industry-Academia Collaboration (IAC) within software engineering projects and to propose evidence-based best practices to sustain this engagement over time. Methodologically, the study conducted a tertiary literature review, synthesising the results of 30 systematic reviews on the topic. The main results revealed challenges ranging from cultural and institutional misalignments to communication failures and gaps in the governance of collaborative projects, factors that undermine the lasting success of these partnerships. Based on these findings, actionable guidelines were formulated that reconcile academic rigor with the pragmatism of the industrial context. In conclusion, the study proposes a refined conceptual model for collaborative projects, offering concrete recommendations to mitigate risks, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and increase the likelihood of success in these initiatives. It provides researchers with a consolidated reference and offers practitioners practical guidance for designing more resilient and mutually beneficial partnerships.