What drives University–Industry research partnerships? Evidence from Saudi Arabia

University–industry research partnerships play a vital role in strengthening innovation systems and supporting knowledge-based economic development. This study aims to identify the underlying dimensions of university–industry research partnerships in Saudi Arabia and examine their influence on partnership effectiveness. Data were collected through a survey of employees working in scientific research deanships across six Saudi universities, yielding 192 valid responses. Exploratory factor analysis identified four partnership dimensions: economic, academic, technological, and strategic alignment. Multiple regression analysis revealed that these dimensions, together with university type, explained 39.2% of the variance in perceived partnership effectiveness. The academic and economic dimensions emerged as the strongest predictors, while strategic alignment exhibited the weakest effect. Established universities reported higher levels of partnership effectiveness than emerging institutions. The findings contribute to the university–industry collaboration literature and provide practical insights for policymakers and university leaders seeking to strengthen research partnerships in support of Saudi Vision (2030).