Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part I (2025)

The translation of academic research into tangible technological, commercial, and societal impact is a critical challenge in collaborative R&D projects. Effective knowledge transfer (KT) between academia and industry requires structured pathways that integrate formal mechanisms, human capital, and institutional enablers. This paper examines the dynamics of knowledge transfer in collaborative R&D management, identifying key pathways that include formal licensing, joint research projects, human mobility, and informal networks. It analyses barriers such as absorptive capacity gaps, cultural misalignments, and institutional bottlenecks. It proposes a Knowledge Transfer Project Management Framework (KTP-PMF) to guide planning, execution, and monitoring of KT activities. The framework is illustrated with operational roadmaps, key performance indicators (KPIs) and case examples drawn from empirical studies. Practical recommendations for managers, policymakers, and researchers are presented, along with future research directions for optimizing KT effectiveness in academia-industry collaborations.