EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND BUSINESS AS A FACTOR IN FORMING THE BUSINESS REPUTATION OF AN INNOVATIVE COMPANY

Abstract

The article examines the European experience of strategic partnerships between education and business as a crucial factor in shaping the corporate reputation of innovative companies. In the contemporary knowledge-based economy and under conditions of global competition, reputation has become one of the most valuable intangible assets of enterprises. It is no longer sufficient for companies to demonstrate only strong financial performance or product quality; their reputation is also determined by their contribution to social development, their support for education and research, and their ability to implement responsible innovation strategies. In this context, cooperation with higher education institutions becomes a key instrument for building trust, strengthening competitiveness, and enhancing long-term reputational capital. The relevance of the research is defined by the growing role of educational-business alliances in developing human capital, transferring knowledge, and fostering innovation-driven ecosystems. European practices demonstrate the effectiveness of dual education, corporate scholarship programs, business incubators, start-up accelerators, and university-based research centers. These initiatives not only ensure the preparation of specialists capable of operating in rapidly changing markets but also reinforce companies’ reputational advantages through their visible social engagement and investments in intellectual development. The article provides a definition of corporate reputation in the context of innovative enterprises as a set of stable, positive perceptions formed through consistent contributions to education, science, and societal progress. Empirical examples include the UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, the Technical University of Munich’s business incubator, Scandinavian investment-education projects, and models of public-private partnerships implemented in France and the Netherlands. These cases illustrate how systematic collaboration with universities enables companies to simultaneously nurture talent, foster innovation, and strengthen their public image. The author also analyzes the possibilities of adapting these European practices to the Ukrainian context. Despite considerable potential, challenges remain, such as insufficient funding for research and education, limited business involvement in the academic process, and the lack of a strong culture of partnership. Overcoming these barriers requires state support for public-private cooperation, corporate investment in education, development of innovation clusters, and active integration of international experience. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the importance of European partnership models between education and business for shaping the corporate reputation of innovative companies and to identify opportunities for their adaptation in Ukraine. The conclusion emphasizes that strategic collaboration between universities and businesses not only ensures the training of professionals for an innovation-driven economy but also represents a decisive factor in building sustainable corporate reputation in the global environment.