ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the relationships between universities and their external environment with a particular focus on the resulting opportunities to enhance creativity. It outlines the responsibilities of the Technology Transfer Centres (TTCs) in research on the so-called third mission of universities. For the past several decades, the transfer of knowledge and technology from universities to firms and other entities has been treated as a crucial institutional challenge for governments. Interactions among industry and science institutions lead to an exchange of previously unrelated information and communication standards among them, which increases their innovativeness levels. Recent studies confirm the correlation between production capabilities and the level of innovation of an economy. Collaboration between universities and external partners is crucial for the development of entrepreneurship, especially if it is expected to deliver creative solutions.
