The adoption of knowledge integration mechanisms in an interdisciplinary research project

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 604-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Canonico ◽  
Ernesto De Nito ◽  
Vincenza Esposito ◽  
Marcello Martinez ◽  
Mario Pezzillo Iacono
Keyword(s):  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Knowledge Integration ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Research ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research Project ◽  
Integration Mechanisms ◽  
The University ◽  
University Industry

Purpose This paper aims to study knowledge integration mechanisms in an interdisciplinary research project. It develops the theoretical literature on the concept of knowledge integration, particularly the adoption of different organizational mechanisms. The research helps to explain how to adopt different integration mechanisms in the various steps of a typical university industry research project. Design/methodology/approach This research relies on a case study. The authors used three data collection techniques: internal document analysis, observation/site visits and semi-structured interviews. Documentary analysis was used to understand the organizational structure and to identify knowledge integration issues. Observation and site visits at university research laboratories were used to increase understanding on particular issues. Staff interviewed included managers and academic researchers. Findings Findings are primarily related to a better understanding of choices of knowledge integration mechanisms in a university industry research project. A crucial aspect was the level of mutual understanding of specialist knowledge. When project members were derived from different sides of the university-industry border, there was a major need for recurring to more structured knowledge integration mechanisms, even if the scientific background of participants was homogeneous. Originality/value Previous studies on the relationships between university and industry deals with the issue of governing the knowledge exchange on the border at a macro level; conversely, an interesting research gap is represented by knowledge integration mechanisms to be deployed on the university-industry border, especially at micro level. In this paper, the authors do not cope explicitly with university-industry coordination mechanisms but use the University-Industry border to study knowledge integration in interdisciplinary setting. The study is exploratory, which may be useful in generating future research hypotheses, connecting the features of research projects with the need to achieve knowledge integration.

scholarly journals The European Union and Global Multilateral Governance - An Interdisciplinary Research Project: Research Notes (Part 1)

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-55
Author(s):  
Jan Wouters ◽  
Hans Bruyninckx ◽  
Stephan Keukeleire ◽  
Tim Corthaut ◽  
Sudeshna Basu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research Project ◽  
The University

This is the first of a series of research notes articles dealing with a research project funded by the University of Leuven. The second and third parts will be published in future issues of the JCER.

scholarly journals Understanding knowledge translation in university–industry research projects: a case analysis in the automotive sector

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1863-1884
Author(s):  
Paolo Canonico ◽  
Ernesto De Nito ◽  
Vincenza Esposito ◽  
Mario Pezzillo Iacono ◽  
Gianluigi Mangia
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Goal Orientation ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Negotiation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industry Research ◽  
University Industry

PurposeIn this paper, we depart from extant conceptualisations of knowledge translation mechanisms to examine projects as a way to achieve effective knowledge transfer. Our empirical analysis focused on a university–industry research project in the automotive industry.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis was based on a qualitative investigation. We analysed material collected within a research project involving a partnership between two universities and Fiat-Chrysler Automotive (FCA), a multi-brand auto manufacturer with a product range covering several different market segments. We used three data collection techniques: internal document analysis, participant observation and semi-structured interviews.FindingsOur findings show that, in a U-I research project, goals represent a key dimension to support knowledge translation. Defining the goal implies an ongoing negotiation process, where researchers and company employees work together, in order to converge towards a shared meaning of the goal. In this sense, goal orientation and goal-based interaction have significant implications for knowledge translation processes.Originality/valueStudies to date have focussed on the concept of knowledge translation as a way to contextualise the transfer from the source of knowledge to the receiver and to interpret the knowledge to be exchanged. This study expands the understanding of knowledge translation mechanisms in university–industry research settings. It investigates the concept of projects as powerful knowledge translation mechanism in a dynamic and longitudinal perspective. Our contribution provides insight, reflecting on how the use of projects may represent a way to facilitate knowledge transfer and build up new ideas and solutions.

scholarly journals Elements that influence knowledge sharing in the university-industry-government collaboration

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72
Author(s):  
Igor Junqueira de Castro ◽  
Marcelo Seido Nagano ◽  
Suzana Xavier Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Triple Helix ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Electric Engineering ◽  
Operational Policies ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
The University ◽  
University Industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors for an academic research project in electrical engineering to become relevant. Design/methodology/approach As a conceptual basis, a few theories of entrepreneurial university and triple helix were correlated, seeking to determine the main critical factors and the successful criteria of an academic research project. The research was conducted through four cases of electric engineering that succeed in generating social and economic impact. Findings When analyzing the available bibliography, it is clear that the connection among the companies, the market and the research that happens at the university is very important. Not only that, but also, according to the results, this is the key to generating revenue and impact on society. In addition, operational policies and competent leaders promoting this impact inside the universities are extremely important. Originality/value The topic was selected because of the reduced number of articles related to the identification and analyses of the main aspects that make an academic research project relevant to the society. Furthermore, the paper is significant because it analyzes the main factors that help develop a better society and country through academic research.

Organizational change for sustainability education: a case study of one university’s efforts to create and implement institution-wide sustainability competencies

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-515
Author(s):  
Vanessa R. Levesque ◽  
Cameron P. Wake
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Change ◽  
Sustainability Education ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Level ◽  
Institutional Sustainability ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the process of creating and implementing sustainability competencies across a university illuminate dynamics of organizational change. The push to advance education for sustainable development in higher education will likely require transformation of existing policies and practices. A set of shared sustainability competencies could guide the integration of sustainability throughout an institution. Design/methodology/approach This paper reports on a case study of one US university, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) that developed institutional-level sustainability competencies. The process used to create and implement sustainability competencies is outlined, and key factors that influenced the associated organizational change are identified. Findings Very few US universities have institutional-level sustainability competencies. At UNH, drivers of organizational change such as overcoming disciplinary boundaries, developing a common vision and working from the bottom-up enabled the creation of institutional sustainability competencies, but the same processes were not enough to drive deeper implementation of the competencies. Originality/value This paper not only identifies the context-specific drivers of the development of institutional sustainability competencies, but also identifies universal themes that can be applied to other institutions embarking on a similar process. Additionally, this paper serves as a foundation for future research exploring how the process of creating institutional sustainability competencies may be linked to how effective they are in shaping subsequent sustainability education.

Post-occupancy evaluation of outdoor spaces on the campus of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Clara Carvalho Tourinho ◽  
Sabrina Andrade Barbosa ◽  
Özgür Göçer ◽  
Klaus Chaves Alberto
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Post Occupancy Evaluation ◽  
Outdoor Spaces ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeUsing the campus of a Brazilian university as case study, this research aims to identify which aspects of the outdoor spaces are the most significant in attracting people.Design/methodology/approachThis research relies on the application of different post-occupancy evaluation (POE) methods, including user tracking, behavioural mapping and questionnaires, on one plateau of the campus.FindingsThree group of aspects (socialization, proximity and infrastructure) were identified as key elements in explaining the impact of the campus physical characteristics on users’ behaviour. The results indicate that having characteristics of at least one group of aspects in those spaces can guarantee their vitality and, if there is presence of attributes of more than one group, liveliness can be increased.Research limitations/implicationsFurther studies should be conducted on an entire campus to identify other spatial elements in the three groups.Practical implicationsThis research contributes to the planning of future campuses and to solutions to the existed ones, indicating the most relevant spatial characteristics to be considered. Additionally, the combination of different methods may be useful to future research.Originality/valueMost of the investigations on the university campuses focus on the buildings, and little research has investigated the outdoor spaces, although they play a critical role in learning and academic life, where people establish social, cultural and personal relationships. In addition, studies using several POE allowed a consistent and complete diagnostic about the aspects of the campus, giving recommendations for future projects.

University–Industry Research and Training Partnerships

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Shattock
Keyword(s):  
International Markets ◽  
Industry Research ◽  
Considerable Success ◽  
Institutional Strategies ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
The University ◽  
University Industry ◽  
And Training

The author examines the case of the University of Warwick and its institutional strategies for partnership with a variety of external organizations. He argues that universities need to change their missions, and to show strong leadership and an enterpreneurial approach to adapt to their local, national and international markets. In particular, the paper looks at the considerable success of the Warwick Manufacturing Group in developing training programmes and research in partnership with industry.

scholarly journals Co-production for or against the university: student loneliness and the commodification of impact in COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Cooper ◽  
Charlotte Jones
Keyword(s):  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Multidisciplinary Research ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The University ◽  
Academic Year

PurposeThis paper explores the dissonance between co-production and expectations of impact in a research project on student loneliness over the 2019/2020 academic year. Specific characteristics of the project – the subject matter, interpolation of a global respiratory pandemic, informal systems of care that arose among students and role of the university in providing the context and funding for the research – brought co-production into heightened tension with the instrumentalisation of project outputs.Design/methodology/approachThe project consisted of a series of workshops, research meetings and mixed-methods online journalling between 2019 and 2020. This paper is primarily a critical reflection on that research, based on observations by and conversations between the authors, together with discourse analysis of research data.FindingsThe authors argue that co-producing research with students on university contexts elevates existing tensions between co-production and institutional valuations of impact, that co-production with students who had experienced loneliness made necessary space for otherwise absent support and care, that the responsibility to advocate for evidence and co-researchers came into friction with how the university felt the research could be useful and that each of these converging considerations are interconnected symptoms of the ongoing marketisation of HE.Originality/valueThis paper provides a novel analysis of co-production, impact and higher education in the context of an original research project with specific challenges and constraints. It is a valuable contribution to methodological literatures on co-production, multidisciplinary research into student loneliness and reflexive work on the difficult uses of evidence in university contexts.

Developing the Methodology for an Applied, Interdisciplinary Research Project: Documenting the Journey Toward Philosophical Clarity

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loene M. Howes
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research Project ◽  
Logic Of Inquiry ◽  
Methodological Refinement

Methodologists have urged researchers who use mixed methods to justify their methodological choices and provide greater clarity about the philosophical underpinnings and implications of their approaches. This article outlines the reasoning process undertaken in an endeavor to develop philosophical clarity for an applied, interdisciplinary, mixed methods research project about the communication of scientific evidence in the legal system. I used Greene’s domains of methodology for social inquiry as a framework for addressing reflexive questions about assumptions. Flowing from the domains of values and philosophies, the logic of inquiry was developed before the implications for the integration of findings and reporting of research were outlined. Early engagement in reflexive questioning provided a foundation for methodological refinement throughout the ongoing research journey.

The Impact of Culture on University–Industry Knowledge Interaction in the Chinese MNC Context

2010 ◽  
pp. 295-320
Author(s):  
Jianzhong Hong ◽  
Johanna Heikkinen ◽  
Mia Salila
Keyword(s):  
Future Research ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Work In Process ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
The University ◽  
Different Cultures ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Collaborative Knowledge ◽  
University Industry

Recent studies on university–industry collaboration have paid a growing attention to complementary knowledge interaction, which is of crucial importance for networked learning and knowledge co-creation needed in today’s rapidly changing markets and for gaining global competitiveness. The existent studies concentrate on the transfer of knowledge from the university to the company, and the impact of culture is examined with a focus on fundamentally different cultures between two types of organizations (i.e., between universities and firms). The studies, however, remain highly fragmented in cultural exploration on one level, and are primarily concerned with one-way technology and knowledge transfer. Research on more interactive knowledge interaction (e.g., collaborative knowledge creation) and especially in the Chinese context is seriously lacking. This chapter explores university–industry knowledge interaction in a broad sense, focusing on the development of a conceptual view on the understanding and analysis of the cultural impact in the Chinese MNC context. The chapter is an early work in process and it is theoretical in nature. It clarifies and elaborates key concepts and perspectives, and suggests implications for future research and practice regarding effective knowledge co-creation involving dissimilar cultures.

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