Final answer:
Academic-industry collaborations are true regarding promoting knowledge transfer and innovation in research, leading to mutual benefits and technological advancement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question you've asked pertains to what is true regarding academic-industry collaborations in the realm of research and development. Among the options provided, the accurate statement is that they promote knowledge transfer and innovation (C). The nature of these collaborations typically results in a symbiotic relationship where both the academic and industry partners contribute their strengths, leading to technological advancements and shared benefits from the new knowledge and technologies created. Academic-industry partnerships can indeed lead to increased competition as they stimulate the market with new products and ideas, but more prominently, they act as catalyzers for innovation.
It's also important to note that while increased availability of technology due to research and development efforts may reduce the motivation of firms to invest in R&D due to concerns about copying and patent issues, academic-industry partnerships can mitigate this by establishing structures that protect intellectual property and by providing a mechanism through which both parties can reap the beneficial outcomes of their collaborative work.