The story of a university knowledge exchange actor‐network told through the sociology of translation: A case study
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research
ISSN: 1355-2554
Article publication date: 28 September 2010
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to tell the story of the evolution of knowledge exchange (KE) activity within a department in a university in the north west of England and to understand this activity through the lens of actor‐network theory.
Design/methodology/approach
Applying the sociology of translation to one qualitative interview shows how different actors were enrolled and mobilized into a KE actor‐network. The process of translation consists of four stages, problematisation, enrolment, interessement and mobilisation of allies which have been applied to the data to tell the story of the KE actor‐network. This is a cross‐disciplinary approach using a theoretical framework from sociology and applying it to a management/organizational context.
Findings
This framework brings fresh ways of looking at the importance of KE networks within universities. Although limited to one interview, the methodology allows for an in‐depth reading of the data and shows how resilient and flexible this actor‐network is to withstand and respond appropriately to shifts in policy and subsequent provisions for small‐ and medium‐sized enterprise business support.
Originality/value
Building from one case, the paper concludes that this account adds to an historical understanding of how universities become involved with KE activities. The inclusion of non‐human actors allows for a deeper understanding of the actor‐network and shows the importance of actors such as White Papers, pots of funding and physical buildings to the role of KE within higher education.
Keywords
Citation
Smith, S., Rose, M. and Hamilton, E. (2010), "The story of a university knowledge exchange actor‐network told through the sociology of translation: A case study", International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, Vol. 16 No. 6, pp. 502-516. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551011082470
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited