This scientific paper identifies and describes the incentives for the utilization of knowledge for universities and small and medium-sized companies. In addition, different models " for example the Knott/Wildavsky model " are continuously adapted, created and expanded, which leads to an new integrative model. The main problem is that companies have to integrate knowledge from external sources into their operations. According to the literature, this model of open innovation is considered as inevitable in order to remain competitive. This is especially the case for small and medium-sized companies. The reasons for this are illustrated as the possibilities of a successful collaboration. Germany has a relativley high involvement in knowledge and technology transfer in international comparison. Nevertheless, a number of companies assume their insitution won´t benefit from knowledge utilization. The literature review revealed that there is no existing model, which combines the stages of knowledge utilization with the incentives of universities and companies. This paper closes the identified gap through the created integrative model. The formulated incentive factors can help universities and companies recognizing if a cooperated research is beneficial or not. At the beginning the basic theoretical foundations are defined based on the literature review, followed by a description of the incentive factors of knowledge exploitation. On the one hand there is a distinction between tangible and intangible incentives. On the other hand there is a segmentation of extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. Both are important regarding to the motivation of employees and scientists. In the end, a knowledge utilization model is presented and adapted to the present case, before proceeding with the extension of the model providing an additional perspective and adding the incentive factors. By the procedure described an integrative model is created. It can be useful to all affected people, universities and their scientists as well as small and medium-sized companies and their employees.