To read this content please select one of the options below:

A conceptual model for university-society research collaboration facilitating societal impact for local innovation

Anna Karin Olsson (School of Business Economics and IT, University West, Trollhattan, Sweden)
Iréne Bernhard (School of Business Economics and IT, University West, Trollhattan, Sweden)
Tobias Arvemo (School of Business Economics and IT, University West, Trollhattan, Sweden)
Ulrika Lundh Snis (School of Business Economics and IT, University West, Trollhattan, Sweden)

European Journal of Innovation Management

ISSN: 1460-1060

Article publication date: 14 July 2020

Issue publication date: 13 July 2021

813

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose is to develop a work-integrated learning (WIL) model for university-society research collaboration facilitating societal impact toward short lag yet sustainable societal impact for local innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology applied was engaged scholarship based on a WIL approach involving a network of collaborating partners from different sectors of society and cross-disciplinary university researchers. Mixed data collection methods were applied.

Findings

Conceptualization of university-society research collaboration for local innovation is presented as a WIL model including the elements of continuity and commitment, coordination, communication and relationships, trust, courage and creativity and co-creation opportunities. Short lag societal impact as local innovation was identified as product and process innovations.

Research limitations/implications

Further validation of the model is encouraged for the model to be viable in various contexts and to generate different kinds of societal impact.

Practical implications

The model may act as a governing tool for project management to facilitate co-creative and short lag societal impact for local innovation to ensure that engaged and learning activities are embedded in the collaborative process.

Social implications

The model has implications for inclusiveness and co-creation fostering transparency, respect and mutuality in university-society research collaboration and to equate both academic and practice knowledge.

Originality/value

The conclusions drawn support the understanding of a WIL approach practicing engaged scholarship in research collaborations. The main theoretical and practical contributions of the article are the conceptual model for university-society research collaboration generating short lag societal implications and local innovation.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This study is partly funded by the European Union Development Fund, Interreg Sweden-Norway in the project, “Urban Platsinnovation” 2015-2018.

Citation

Olsson, A.K., Bernhard, I., Arvemo, T. and Lundh Snis, U. (2021), "A conceptual model for university-society research collaboration facilitating societal impact for local innovation", European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 1335-1353. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-04-2020-0159

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles