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Purpose: Sustainable development is an issue of high relevance for all countries and universities play a fundamental role in promoting the participation of society members in achieving this objective. This study aims to conduct an open laboratory of social innovation (OPENLAB_SI) inside a university with society stakeholders, as a research and innovation tool that facilitates addressing the complexity of social problems through the principles of openness, experimentation, inclusion, diversity, participation and collaboration. The aim was to encompass innovation with the active participation of citizens in processes of experimentation, exchange and creativity to impact their social reality through collective designs for more sustainable futures done by and for communities. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents a case study conducted during an OPENLAB_SI, which applied innovative, socio-educational strategies intending to promote the social appropriation of renewable energies to help the sustainable development of urban, rural and marginalized areas. In our open lab, a total of 67 participants attended, including university students from various public and private institutions of higher education. Also, civil organizations participated, as well as consultants, teachers, government representatives and university professors. Experts from various disciplines who work in businesses, foundations, universities and government spoke on the topics that were addressed. Findings: Among the notable principal findings is the collaborative work done voluntarily by all the participants who, instead of working with a proposal designed beforehand by one group or another, recognized that an OPENLAB_SI leads to the creation of links between society, academia, business and government. Originality/value: In the OPENLAB_SI through the exchange of experiences and best practices, aimed at more robust networking and improvement in the acquisition of scientific and technological skills and abilities, the participants became actively involved in the generation of collective knowledge. The main contribution of this paper is to present an open laboratory into the social innovation space that can be replicated such a living lab model in other contexts to contribute to pursuit the sustainable development goals with education for sustainable development as a key catalyst for transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of a pedagogical strategy called innovation pedagogy and examine how it has been and will be developed. The paper is an overview of the latest development of the innovation pedagogy approach. It provides a discussion of the changes in innovation pedagogy and, more generally, in higher education, including the changes in educational aims and involving a sustainable future as the priority in all education. Design/methodology/approach: The research methodology is based on action research, participatory observation and on the experiences of the authors of the development process, which has taken place in one Finnish university of applied sciences during the past decade. Findings: The implementation of innovation pedagogy requires time, participation of the whole educational community and management commitment. The study describes the results of the development work and states that the educational goals require consideration of values, processes and structures. Research limitations/implications: Because of the case study setting and a specific cultural context, there are limitations to the generalizability of the findings. Originality/value: Focusing on the development of the concept of innovation pedagogy helps to understand how education development takes place gradually and how it can simultaneously aim to respond to the demands of a sustainable future. This study extends approaches on research in education and innovation pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to describe innovations at the Games + Learning + Society Center to explore the future of education.Design/methodology/approach This paper is an overview of several published studies and design interventions.Findings Commercial partnerships, particularly generating copyrightable materials can maximize impact and diversify research funding, but they also run counter to the culture and purpose of many research universities.Research limitations/implications Researchers interested in forging new partnerships to maximize impact might explore relationships with commercial entities but be aware that they are running counter to the grain of most institutions and goals. Other universities of different sizes, ages and orientations may have different results.Practical implications Building private partnerships requires different staffing and skill sets than traditional research. Guidance for staffing key roles and projects are provided.Originality/value This paper is a reflection on unique research initiative that generated revenue and helped shape a subfield of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The paper analyses the emerging role of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) universities in contemporary society via third- and fourth-mission activities. In particular, the paper investigates the potential contributions that SSH universities can offer in developing and enhancing capacities, supporting the changing conception of innovation coherently through a Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) approach.Design/methodology/approach The case study presents multiple third- and fourth-mission activities carried out by the University of Macerata (Italy). The activities are framed according to the roles universities could have in supporting S3.Findings Within third- and fourth-mission activities, SSH universities can play different and broader roles (generative, absorptive, collaborative and leadership), which could support regions in designing and implementing S3.Practical implications The paper shows the important contributions that SSH universities can make in their regions, both to support S3 and enhance the transition to sustainable development.Social implications The article emphasises SSH universities’ multiple contributions to sustainable development and to innovation in the knowledge society/economy framework.Originality/value This case study captures SSH universities’ contributions to S3 and the wider innovation paradigm, by highlighting their transformational effect on regional economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an example of pedagogical strategy, called innovation pedagogy, and study whether its learning environments (activating teaching and learning methods, working life orientation and research, development and innovation (RDI) integration, multidisciplinary learning environments, flexible curricula, entrepreneurship and internationalization) can be associated with students' innovation competences (creativity, critical thinking, initiative, teamwork and networking).Design/methodology/approach In this case study, the electronic self-assessment questionnaire was distributed to third- and fourth-year bachelor students (n=236) from one Finnish university of applied sciences at the end of the Spring semester in 2017.Findings Two profiles of students concerning their level of innovation competences can be identified. The level of students' innovation competences is associated with all the six elements of learning environments. The more students have experience with learning environments of innovation pedagogy, the higher they scored when assessed for their innovation competences.Research limitations/implications Because of the case study setting and a limited sample, there are limitations to the generalizability of the findings.Originality/value Focusing on different levels of innovation competences of students and approaching their study path in more detail, it could be better understood how to develop more effective education, and thus, respond to the demands of an innovation society. This study extends approaches on research in education and innovation and strengthens the understanding that learning environments should be versatile and include many-sided learning opportunities. It also shows that implementing pedagogical strategy needs lot of work to be revealed in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical appraisal of how experiential approaches can more effectively enhance the achievement of desired learning outcomes in entrepreneurship education. In particular, the authors critique whether actual learning outcomes can be profitably used to measure effectiveness; and consider how student performance can be evaluated through the twin lenses of implementation or innovation. Design/methodology/approach – The authors undertook a review of both traditional and experiential approaches to entrepreneurship education. In addition to comparing these approaches, the authors critiqued a number of “taken for granted” assumptions regarding the effectiveness of experiential approaches to entrepreneurship education and made recommendations. Findings – Although there is a large body of research on experiential approaches towards entrepreneurship education, the authors know little about how these approaches contribute towards the effective achievement of desired learning outcomes. Whilst many authors claim that such approaches are effective, such assertions are not supported by sufficient robust evidence. Hence the authors need to establish more effective student performance evaluation metrics. In particular: first, whether actual learning outcomes are appropriate measures of effectiveness; and second, the authors should evaluate student performance through the lenses of the two “Is” – implementation or innovation. Practical implications – Whether actual learning outcomes are used as a measure of effectiveness at all needs to be critiqued further. Implementation involves doing things that are determined by others and matching against their expectations, whereas innovation comprises producing multiple and varied solutions that respond to change and often surprise. Originality/value – Through revisiting the discussions on the art and the science of entrepreneurship education, this paper represents an initial critical attempt – as part of an ongoing study – to fill a gap in entrepreneurship education research. The paper, therefore, has significant value for students, entrepreneurship educators and policy-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to assist lecturers, universities and their administrators in preparing for the evolving future of higher education. Disruptive innovations in higher education delivery, with the internet as a driver, are creating potential benefits and challenges for traditional service providers. This paper will reflect on how academics should evolve, in the age of the internet, and maximize the benefits of all stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – This opinion piece emerged after reviewing the latest research and best practices which can improve higher education delivery. Findings – Significant benefits and opportunities can be unlocked if educators apply and incorporate new learning styles and practices. While the pace and momentum is uncertain, this paper re-confirms that disruptive technologies will lead to inevitable changes in higher education. Technology and knowledge have become more accessible and transferable irrespective of location. It is therefore imperative that educational stakeholders seize the opportunity to adjust their methodology and delivery approaches to remain relevant and maintain their value proposition. Originality/value – Educators should rethink how they deliver education, as the traditional model evolves. This paper offers a proposal to navigate the challenges ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Over the past few decades China's higher education has gone through dramatic growth and multiple rounds of reforms accompanied by a remarkable amount of financial investment, all aiming at developing world-class universities to grow innovative talents. Yet the outcomes so far have been disappointing. This paper aims to investigate this issue.Design/methodology/approach – By reviewing and analyzing selected educational reforms in higher education in China, this article discusses the reasons of the gap between the massive input for innovation in higher education in China and abysmal results. This paper also reports and analyzes a case that challenges central control and the gaokao system.Findings – Central control and the gaokao, the infamous college entrance exam, are the bedrocks of China's higher education and also the culprit for China's failure to cultivate innovative talents. Unless they are fundamentally changed it is unlikely that China will have the higher education system it dreams of having.Originality/value – This article provides an overview of China's efforts to cultivate innovative talents by strategically investing in building world-class higher education institutions (HEIs) and analyzes the reasons behind the apparent gap between its massive input and the abysmal results achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a framework combining the approaches of the innovation pedagogy, strategic planning of higher education and the research, development and innovation (RDI) in order to support the export of higher education.Design/methodology/approach – The export of education can be included in the framework by taking the innovation pedagogy as a starting point – an approach developed for the universities of applied sciences with the emphasis of efficient leaning in projects and the institution's external impact. Strategic management defines strategic objectives, which take into account the European education policy and the regional and international demand for higher education. The empirical part of the paper is based on the study of the Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) focusing on the networked applied research and development activities and the combination of the education and the RDI activities using learning in the projects approaches.Findings – The building of the strategic partnerships seems to be one of the main instruments of the export process and to use the support of the external broker organization outside of the universities. The advantages of the student learning in the RDI projects are: the drop-out rates can be decreased, the length of study can be shortened, the transfer of knowledge can be increased, the supervision of students can be increased, the experience of students from projects increases the employment opportunities and the integrated model of innovation pedagogy can be exported to other countries.Originality/value – The framework presented in the paper could be developed towards mechanisms of sharing the knowledge concerning different global learning ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is as follows: this is a short excursion into the changing world of post-secondary education through a review of two books: Reinventing Higher Education: The Promise of Innovation, by Ben Wildavsky, Andrew P Kelly and Kevin Carey; and DIY U, by Aya Kamenetz. Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents reviews of two recently published books. Findings - The economics and functions of post secondary education at the baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate (research) levels are changing in a world where knowledge flows freely across geo-political boundaries. The Ivory Tower no longer commands from a fixed location or as the center of knowledge, both the historic and the new. Originality/value - Individuals as well as public and private sector entities have multiple sources for knowledge and new abilities of sharing and obtaining knowledge. "The Academy" as created in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as an independent home for scholarly endeavors has changed as new demands are placed upon the institutions and the faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a national survey of information skills training (IST) practices in Irish higher education institutions, which was carried out during 2006-2007 with the aim of documenting current practice and identifying areas in which change or innovation may be warranted. Despite an emerging picture of information literacy (IL) practice worldwide, a lack of published research has made it difficult to gain an accurate overview of IL activity in the Republic of Ireland. This paper aims to partly fill this gap. Design/methodology/approach - An invitation to complete a 26-item questionnaire was sent out to librarians in all publicly-funded higher education institutions in the Irish Republic in November 2006. Out of 154 librarians, 77 responded, giving a response rate of 50 per cent. Findings - Results showed that, while librarians spend a significant portion of their time engaged in IST activities and are enthusiastic about developing and promoting their programmes, IST continues to be delivered in primarily standalone format, using non-integrated methods. Formal assessment of IS outcomes is not commonly carried out in Irish higher education institutions. Originality/value - This paper represents the first national survey of IST practices in higher education in the Irish Republic, and serves as a baseline for international comparison and future longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The goal of this paper is to enhance consideration for the potential for institutions of higher education throughout the world, in different cultures and contexts, to be change agents for sustainability. As society faces unprecedented and increasingly urgent challenges associated with accelerating environmental change, resource scarcity, increasing inequality and injustice, as well as rapid technological change, new opportunities for higher education are emerging. Design/methodology/approach - The paper builds on the emerging literature on transition management and identifies five critical issues to be considered in assessing the potential for higher education as a change agent in any particular region or place. To demonstrate the value of these critical issues, exemplary challenges and opportunities in different contexts are provided. Findings - The five critical issues include regional-specific dominant sustainability challenges, financing structure and independence, institutional organization, the extent of democratic processes, and communication and interaction with society. Originality/value - Given that the challenges and opportunities for higher education as a change agent are context-specific, identifying, synthesizing, and integrating common themes is a valuable and unique contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to investigate the influence of professional and academic identities in online teaching practices in higher education. Design/methodology/approach - This paper draws on data from a longitudinal study of five professional degree academics teaching subjects in nursing, teaching, engineering, allied health sciences, and journalism (here a "subject" refers to a course or unit which is usually undertaken over a semester and forms a part of a larger degree program). The research utilises community of practice as a social theory of learning, and the construct of identity, to better understand the connection between academic teachers' pedagogical beliefs and their teaching practices in a web-enhanced learning setting. The authors contend that lecturers' online teaching practices are mediated by their continually negotiated identities as members of multiple communities of practice. Findings - This research has found that the professional degree lecturers intentionally utilised the available technologies and tools to enact pedagogical strategies in ways that enabled them to manage the integrity of their occasionally conflicting identities as educators, professional practitioners and institutional employees. Originality/value - This research goes beyond the assumption that past experiences flavour teachers' pedagogical styles. A lecturer continually negotiates and maintains multiple identities where each represents a fundamental understanding of the world and can sometimes be at odds with one-another. This study has revealed how educational technologies have mediated the gap between the multiple identities held by teaching academics and been used as a bridging mechanism to connect beliefs with practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review the progress made by UK higher education institutions (HEIs) to deliver the enterprise education agenda. The key areas for research included the type, content and delivery methods of graduate enterprise education being offered in the UK. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire was e-mailed to 123 HEIs in the UK, together with a brief introduction stating the purpose of the research. These were followed up by telephone calls to request responses. Findings - The paper finds that provision of entrepreneurship education is varied, with both entrepreneurship and innovation courses on offer. Entrepreneurship education is most often offered at postgraduate level and on a part time basis. Overall, delivery methods proved to be more traditional than anticipated, with few instances of action learning or the use of technology to support learning. There were differences between pre- and post-1992 HEIs, and little attention was given to topic areas evident in relevant UK policy initiatives. Research limitations/implications - Supports entrepreneurship education, key capacities need to be addressed within HEIs, at senior and other levels, so that graduate enterprise embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and delivers the expected results of governmental focus and intervention. Originality/value - This is one of the first surveys to explore how enterprise education is delivered within UK HEIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze and illustrate achievements and challenges of Ethiopian higher education, both at the system level and at the level of new public universities. Design/methodology/approach – Achievements and challenges at the system level are based on literature review and secondary data. Illustrative case studies are based on university data and interviews with university representatives. Findings – The Ethiopian higher education system has increased its enrollments substantially. The construction of 13 new universities that started enrolling students around 2007 contributed greatly to this achievement. Challenges accompanying this growth lie in funding, quality and quantity of staffing, teaching practices, research and community service, quality assurance and gender balance. Originality/value – The present study contributes to existing literature by describing case studies illustrating challenges and achievements in new public universities in Ethiopian higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to review policy innovations in China for addressing the graduate unemployment crisis that has been created by the expansion of higher education in the past decade.Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw on government documents, research findings, and mass media reports to highlight the key measures of the Chinese government to alleviate the over-education problem and to improve college graduates' employment prospects.Findings – The review describes government efforts both at the institutional level to enhance student employability and at the national level to create alternative employment channels. The Chinese experiences show that the challenges posed by the graduate employment crisis may turn out to be a new opportunity to reform higher education in order to better address the needs unique to a country's own society.Social implications – The review of the Chinese case will inspire policy makers in other countries to seek alternative routes for the development of their own higher education.Originality/value – This is the first study of its kind to address the recent policy innovations and their implications for potential reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research paper which aims to explain the potential of Web 2.0 and its knowledge system or episteme to counter the transcultural learning zones in higher education in the context of internationalisation and massification. The study shows how non-foundational method of Web 2.0 provides capacity in constructing postcolonial transcultural learning zones that are open to knowledge discourse and systems. Results of the study show that socially oriented episteme of Web 2.0 allow educators to construct postcolonial transcultural learning zones in which privilege in knowledge system or discourse is not inherent.