Win-Win-Win for Industry, Research and Individuals: Supervisors’ Insights from the Tandem Programme at TH Köln

Abstract

The tandem programme at TH Köln is a five-year dual qualification programme in which participants are simultaneously employed by a partner organisation and by TH Köln as doctoral student or postdoc. This study investigates the roles of academic and industry supervisors, the perceived benefits and costs of the tandem programme, and collaboration among stakeholders. Social Exchange Theory (SET) is used to examine how supervisors evaluate the benefits and costs of collaboration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 supervisors from academia and industry who oversaw 23 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in the programme, several of whom had participated since 2022. The findings revealed a broad spectrum of perceived roles, benefits, and approaches to collaboration. Win-win-win scenarios were analysed alongside suggestions for minimising costs and maximising benefits. The study underscores the importance of supervision quality and outlines best practices for guiding future tandem collaborations that advance flexible career pathways and support the achievement of the 2030 sustainability goals.