Suchergebnisse

It is commonly argued in the literature on regional innovation that regions must continuously develop new economic activities to compensate for economic decline. If a region manages to diversify from an existing path, it can sustain long-term economic development. One of the measures taken to increase these types of opportunities and to avoid lock-in is to stimulate a closer relationship and collaboration between universities and industry partners. However, we know little about the formation and investigation of successful university-industry relationships in regions outside metropolitan areas. This paper seeks to fill this research gap by investigating how different dimensions of cognitive, organizational, social and geographical proximity facilitate or hinder innovation processes in collaborations between industry and universities in peripheral regions. We find that social proximity, combined with high organizational proximity, overcomes the barriers presented by low geographical proximity. Social proximity compensates for thin regional structures with few high-tech firms, a lack of knowledge producers and a weak support system. An important policy implication is that stimulating collaboration within areas of expertise possessed by university and industry partners create potential for innovation.

Ten experts representing universities, newspapers and institutions provide their short comments on the Norwegian Parliament's address (2008-2009) regarding current and future foreign policy developments. Some of the given comments are general in nature whereas others target a particular part of the document such as immigration and Nordic co-operation. The general comments describe the address as predictable, status conforming and stable, but criticisms are given for downplaying the importance of the European Union. However, a commentator points out that this document still remains the most important source for understanding Norwegian foreign policy since it explains Norway's security policy, foreign policy goals and role in international organizations. L. Pitkaniemi

"The purpose of this anthology is to show different perspectives on epistemology, research roles and contexts in action research. Contributors are researchers who have extensive experience in combining practice development and knowledge development in action research projects.

Several of the articles focus on the epistemological and methodological basis of action research and dilemmas related to the role of the researcher. Questions concerning the purpose of action research, methods of change, and what kind of knowledge is to be developed by and for whom are discussed. Some of the articles explore challenges that are about fundamental values, power, democracy, and dialogue in action research.

The articles also provide examples of how action research can be carried out in different contexts. Some articles are about researching your own practice, possibly with colleagues, students or other partners. There are also examples that show how researchers at universities are invited into ongoing research work e.g. in schools, health institutions, local communities or companies. The researchers contribute in various ways to facilitate the development process, with professional input, and with documentation.

Combining development and research, regardless of context, requires researchers to explain their position, and in collaboration with the participants clarify what roles or functions the participants should have and what is the goal of the development and research. An important issue in the anthology is to point out that action research as collaborative research will necessarily involve dilemmas related to power, values and different views on knowledge. We hope that the anthology will help to raise awareness of such dilemmas." - "Hensikten med denne antologien er å vise ulike perspektiver på grunnlagstenkning, ulike forskerroller og ulike kontekster for aksjonsforskning. Bidragsytere er forskere som har lang erfaring med å kombinere praksisutvikling og kunnskapsutvikling i aksjonsforskningsprosjekter.

Flere av artiklene retter søkelyset mot det epistemologiske og metodologiske grunnlaget i aksjonsforskning og dilemmaer knyttet til forskerrollen. Spørsmål som gjelder aksjonsforskningens hensikt, metoder for endring og hva slags kunnskap som skal utvikles og dokumenteres av og for hvem blir diskutert. Noen av artiklene utforsker utfordringer som handler om grunnleggende verdier, makt, demokrati og dialog i aksjonsforskning.

Artiklene gir også eksempler på hvordan aksjonsforskning kan gjennomføres i ulike kontekster. Noen handler om å forske i egen praksis, eventuelt sammen med kolleger, studenter eller andre samarbeidspartnere. Det er også eksempler som viser hvordan forskere ved universiteter og høgskoler blir invitert inn i pågående forbedringsarbeid, for eksempel i skoler, helseinstitusjoner, kommuner og bedrifter. Forskerne bidrar på ulike måter med å fasilitere utviklingsprosessen, med faglige innspill og med dokumentasjon.

Å kombinere utvikling og forskning krever uansett kontekst at forskere redegjør for sin posisjon og i samarbeid med deltakerne avklarer hvilke roller eller funksjoner deltakerne skal ha og hva som er målet med utviklingen og forskningen. Et viktig anliggende i antologien er å få fram at aksjonsforskning som samarbeidende forskning nødvendigvis vil innebære dilemmaer knyttet til makt, verdier og ulike syn på kunnskap. Vi håper antologien vil bidra til å styrke oppmerksomheten på slike dilemmaer."