Applied Social Science Research in a Regional Knowledge System by Garmann Johnsen, Hans Christian; Hauge, Elisabet S.; Magnussen, May-Linda;

Short description:

With the changing economic environment, the Editors question what impact this will have on applied researchers around the world. What can we learn from their cases? What can one region learn from another? With increased pressure on researchers to achieve academic reputation, how does this fit with the demands for greater practical applicability? Fo

Long description:

This book illustrates how applied social scientists and their research are integrated with stakeholders and practitioners in a local/regional setting, and how knowledge development is a mutual concern, made in, and dependent on, ongoing dialogue. Focusing on the Agder region, the southernmost region in Norway, researchers and contributors question what impact the changing economic environment will have on applied researchers around the world. Applied research is seen as a vital part of the infrastructure for economic and social development, in the Agder region and beyond. The chapters are divided into four parts:

• the spatial dimension of knowledge development;











• understanding regional practice;











• explaining regional practice;











• influencing regional social practice.

A useful resource for both policy makers and researchers, the book helps readers reflect on the type of mutual competence building that applied social science research implies, and depends on, in a regional knowledge development process. It represents a voice on how to understand the development of the knowledge society at regional and global levels.

Table of Contents:

Part I: The special dimension of knowledge development

1. Developing a sustainable business model in a changing economy

Roger Henning Normann, Eugene Guribye and Kristin Wallevik

2. Why Norway has to develop its own innovation policy

Arne Isaksen

3. Knowledge transfer in different regional contexts

Nina Kyllingstad and Elisabet S. Hauge

4. Collective knowing

James Karlsen and Miren Larrea

Part II: Understanding regional practice

5. Opening or reproducing understandings

Mikaela Vasstrøm

6. Social integration of refugees

May-Linda Magnussen and Ingunn Kvamme

7. Comparative reflection

Hanne Haaland and Hege Wallevik

8. Phenomenology of music students

Elisabet S. Hauge

9. Power and knowledge

Jørn Cruickshank and Hege Wallevik

Part III: Explaining regional practice

10. Network ties between universities and cultural and creative industries

Barbara Zyzak, Rómulo Pinheiro and Elisabet S. Hauge

11. The usefulness of applied research

Christine Svarstad and Ellen Nyhus

12. Regional knowledge infrastructure

Sissel Strickert

13. The Mittelstand

Michael Ricke, Kristin Wallevik and Geir Jørgensen

Part IV: Influencing regional social practice

14. Getting China-ready

Sarah Holst Kjær

15. Business models for new experiential services

Tor Helge Aas and Geir Jørgensen

16. Commitment to sustainability in Agder

Stina Torjesen and Karen Landmark

17. Universities’ external relations

Hans Chr. Garmann Johnsen