Studies of Externally Funded Research and Development Projects in Higher Education: Knowledge Sources and Transfers

Rauno Pirinen

Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Espoo, Finland.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2015.63030                

Abstract

This study is addressing the question: how can sources of knowledge be understood and realized in externally funded research and development (R&D) projects. In this study, knowledge sources and transfers are concerned with identifying, creating, and disseminating of knowledge which is rooted in collaborative research settings and, in particular, in the context of learning from international research undertakings. Data were collected within the real R&D projects accepted by the European Union and the Finnish Programmes for Research and Innovations. The study focused on six knowledge sources and knowledge transfers in the form of: 1) knowledge transition and sharing, such as shared or diffused knowledge; 2) knowledge transformation, such as knowledge from legacy service-systems or cultures; 3) inquired knowledge from domain or field, such as traditional acquisition related knowledge; 4) focused knowledge or led knowledge, such as regional R&D agenda or research consortium connected knowledge which can be adopted for radical innovations; 5) knowledge co-creation and knowledge building, such as improving knowledge collectively upon experience, quality or action data; and 6) artifact and service related embedded-implicit knowledge, such as knowledge inside a service-system which can only be observed. The research findings of this study are in line with the literature and previous studies that argue that knowledge itself is an increasingly important source to competitive advantage, and a key to the success of modern organizations and creative higher education, strengthening the collective expertise, industry-service clusters, employees and competitiveness in global economy.

Keywords

Knowledge Economy, Knowledge Sources, Knowledge Transfers, Learning by R&D

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1996). Organizational Learning II: Theory, Method and Practice. Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley.
[2]	Asheim, B. (2012). The Changing Role of Learning Regions in the Globalising Knowledge Economy. Regional Studies, 46, 993-1004. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2011.607805
[3]	Barrows, H. S., & Tamblyn, R. M. (1980). Problem-Based Learning (PBL): An Approach to Medical Education. New York: Springer Publishing.
[4]	Benbasat, I., Goldstein, D. K., & Mead, M. (1987). The Case Research Strategy in Studies of Information Systems. MIS Quarterly, 11, 369-386. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/248684
[5]	Bereiter, C. (2007). Learning to Work Creatively with Knowledge. In E. Corte, L. Verschaffel, N. Entwistle, & J. van Merriënboer (Eds.), Powerful Learning Environments, Unravelling Basic Components and Dimensions (pp. 55-68). Bingley: Emerald Publishing.
[6]	Best, M. (1990). The New Competition: Institutions and Industrial Restructuring. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press.
[7]	Bredo, E. (1994). Reconstructing Educational Psychology: Situated Cognition and Deweyian Pragmatism. Educational Psychologist, 29, 23-35.
[8]	Brown, J. S., Collins, A., & Duguid, P. (1989). Situated Cognition and the Culture of Learning. Educational Research, 18, 32-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/0013189X018001032
[9]	Burr, V. (1995). An Introduction to Social Constructionism. London: Routledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9780203299968
[10]	Campbell, D. T., & Fiske, D. W. (1959). Convergent and Discriminant Validation by the Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix. Psychological Bulletin, 56, 81-105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0046016
[11]	Clark, B. (2007). Creating Entrepreneurial Universities: Organizational Pathways of Transformation. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
[12]	Cooke, P., & Morgan, K. (1998). The Associational Economy Firms, Regions, and Innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198290186.001.0001
[13]	Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory (3rd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
[14]	Dewey, J. (1897). My Pedagogic Creed. In L. A. Hickman, & T. M. Alexander (Eds.), The Essential Dewey: Pragmatism, Education, Democracy (pp. 229-235). Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
[15]	Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education. New York: Macmillan.
[16]	Dewey, J. (1938). Logic: The Theory of Inquiry. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
[17]	Drucker, P. (1969). The Age of Discontinuity: Guidelines to Our Changing Society. New York: Harper and Row.
[18]	Dubé, L., & Paré, G. (2003). Rigor in Information Systems Positivist Case Research: Current Practices, Trends, and Recommendations. MIS Quarterly, 27, 597-635.
[19]	Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Building Theories from Case Study Research. Academy of Management Review, 14, 532-550.
[20]	Engeström, Y. (1987). Learning by Expanding: An Activity-Theoretical Approach to Developmental Research. Helsinki: Orienta-Konsultit Ltd.
[21]	Eraut, M. (1994). Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence. London: Flamer Press.
[22]	Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. (1998). The Endless Transition: A “Triple Helix” of University-Industry-Government Relations. Minerva, 36, 203-208.
[23]	George, A. L., & Bennett, A. (2005). Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
[24]	Gerring, J. (2007). Case Study Research Principles and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[25]	Gibbons, M., Limoges, C., Nowotny, H., Schwartzman, S., Scott, P., & Trow, M. (2008). The New Production of Knowledge (12th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.
[26]	Harmaakorpi, V. (2004). Building a Competitive Regional Innovation Environment. Doctoral Dissertation, Espoo: Helsinki University of Technology Lahti Centre.
[27]	Herr, K., & Anderson, G. L. (2005). The Action Research Dissertation: A Guide for Students and Faculty. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
[28]	Johansson, J., & Ylinenpää, H. (2012). Can Regional Innovation Systems Be “Constructed”? In A. Rickne, S. Laestadius, & H. Etzkowitz (Eds.), Innovation Governance in an Open Economy: Shaping Regional Nodes in a Globalized World (pp. 208-230). London: Routledge.
[29]	Kolb, D. (1984). The Process of Experimental Learning. Experiential Learning Experience as the Source of Learning and Development (pp. 19-38). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
[30]	Lave, J. (1988). Cognition in Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511609268
[31]	Lewin, K. (1942). Field Theory and Learning in Social Sciences. In D. Cartwright (Ed.), Field Theory in Social Science, Selected Theoretical Papers (pp. 212-230). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
[32]	Lewin, K. (1946). Action Research and Minority Problems. In G. W. Lewin (Ed.), Resolving Social Conflicts, Selected Papers on Group Dynamic (pp. 143-152). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
[33]	Malecki, E. (2012). Regional Societal Capital: Why It Matters. Regional Studies, 46, 1023-1039. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2011.607806
[34]	Mezirow, J. (1981). Critical Theory of Adult Learning and Education. Adult Education, 32, 3-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/074171368103200101
[35]	Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
[36]	Nelson, R. R., & Winter, S. G. (1982). An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Change. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[37]	Nonaka, I. A., & Takeuchi, H. A. (1995). The Knowledge-Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create Dynamic of Innovation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
[38]	Patton, M. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation and Research Methods (2nd ed.). London: Sage Publications.
[39]	Peirce, C. S. (1878). How to Make Our Ideas Clear. In H. S. Thayer (Ed.), Pragmatism: The Classic Writings (1982 ed., pp. 79-100). Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing.
[40]	Piore, M., & Sabel, C. H. (1984). The Second Industrial Divide: Possibilities for Prosperity. New York: Basic Books.
[41]	Pirinen, R. (2008). Integrative Learning Environments in Perspective of Regional Development. In Proceedings of the Pascal International Conference (Vol. 1, pp. 1-10). Limerick: University of Limerick.
[42]	Pirinen, R. (2009). Thematic Curriculum. International Conference on Education and Educational Technology (pp. 61-66). Genova: WSEAS Press.
[43]	Pirinen, R. (2011). Externally Funded Research and Development Projects in Perspective of Learning. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy, 3, 27-36.
[44]	Pirinen, R. (2013). Towards Realization of Research and Development in a University of Applied Sciences. Doctoral Dissertation, Dissertations in Forestry and Natural Sciences, Joensuu: University of Eastern Finland
[45]	Pirinen, R. (2014). Learning by Research and Development. Proceedings of the World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF-2014) (pp. 37-46). Dubai: IEEE Press.
[46]	Pirinen, R., & Rajamäki, J. (Eds.) (2010). Integrative Student-Centered Research and Development Work: Rescuing of Intelligence and Electronic Security Core Applications (RIESCA): Sample of Evidence Series. Vantaa: Laurea Publications.
[47]	Pirinen, R., Sivlén, E., & Mantere, E. (2014). Samples of Externally Funded Research and Development Projects in Higher Education: Case Integration Readiness Levels. In Proceedings of the World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF-2014) (pp. 691-700). Dubai: IEEE Press.
[48]	Porter, M. E. (1990). The Competitive Advantage of Nations. Harvard Business Review, March-April, 73-93.
[49]	Rajamäki, J., Pirinen, R., & Knuuttila, J. (Eds.) (2012). SATERISK Risks of Satellite-Based Tracking: Sample of Evidence Series. Vantaa: Laurea publications.
[50]	Revans, R. (1982). The Origins and Growth of Action Learning. Bromley: Chartwell-Brat.
[51]	Rickne, A., Laestadius, S., & Etzkowitz, H. (Eds.) (2012). Innovation Governance in an Open Economy: Shaping Regional Nodes in a Globalized World. London: Routledge.
[52]	Robson, C. (2002). Real World Research (2nd ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
[53]	Rutten, R., & Boekema, F. (2012). From Learning Region to Learning in a Socio-Spatial Context. Regional Studies, 46, 981-992. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2012.712679
[54]	Sawyer, K. (2008). Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration. Cambridge: Perseus Books Group.
[55]	Scardamalia, M., & Bereiter, C. (2006). Knowledge Building: Theory, Pedagogy, and Technology. In K. Sawyer (Ed.), Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences (pp. 97-118). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
[56]	Schaefer, R. (1967). The School as a Center of Inquiry. New York: Harper and Row Publishing.
[57]	Sfard, A. (1998). On Two Metaphors of Learning and the Dangerous of Choosing Just One. Educational Researcher, 27, 4-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.3102/0013189X027002004
[58]	Simon, H. (1996). The Sciences of the Artificial. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
[59]	Ståhlbröst, A. (2008). Forming Future IT: The Living Lab Way of User Involvement. Doctoral Dissertation, Luleå: Luleå University of Technology.
[60]	Stake, R. (1995). The Art of Case Study Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
[61]	Storper, M. (1997). The Regional World: Territorial Development in a Global Economy. London and New York: Guilford Press.
[62]	Teräs, J. (2008). Regional Science-Based Clusters: A Case Study of Three European Concentrations. Doctoral Dissertation, Oulu: University Press.
[63]	Tikanmäki, I., Rajamäki, J., & Pirinen, R. (Eds.) (2014). Mobile Object Bus Interaction Designing Future Emergency Vehicles: Sample of Evidence Series. Vantaa: Laurea Publications.
[64]	Tuomi, I. (1999). Corporate Knowledge: Theory and Practice of Intelligent Organizations. Helsinki: Metaxis.
[65]	Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Interaction between Learning and Development. In M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Sou-berman (Eds.), L.S. Vygotsky Mind in Society (pp. 79-91). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
[66]	West, R. E. (2009). Communities of Innovation: Exploring Collaborative Creativity within a Community of Graduate Instructional Designers. Doctoral Dissertation, Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
[67]	Yin, R. K. (2009). Case Study Research Design and Methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.