Ecosystem of a collaborative research center in project studies: A conceptual framework

Abstract Purpose: To provide a conceptual framework of the ecosystem of a collaborative research center in project studies. The ecosystem is an environment capable of articulating and integrating different actors, such as academics and practitioners from public and private organizations, non-governmental organizations, and professional associations. Furthermore, it discusses theoretical and empirical frontiers in project studies and produces knowledge and technologies directly applicable to organizations, generating impact at the individual, organizational, and social levels. Originality/value: The creation of a collaborative workspace that includes academics and practitioners in the co-production of knowledge has been highlighted as critical to driving project management forward. The framework establishes a common language among academics and practitioners to enhance the impact of the results of collaborative research on project management. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review was carried out from a search on the Scopus and Web of Science databases, with 11 frameworks being evaluated from the perspective of sustainable impacts. The most appropriate framework was identified, analyzed, and enriched with an additional layer dedicated to project management. Findings: The conceptual framework proposed comprises four layers: project studies, process (resources, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts), supporting mechanisms and circumstances, and context. For future studies, we suggest adding empirical data to the proposed structure and evaluating the framework in a collaborative academic environment.

[1]  Roque Rabechini Junior,et al.  Centro de pesquisa universitária: caracterização do ambiente de pesquisa , 2021, Cadernos EBAPE.BR.

[2]  J. Söderlund,et al.  Advancing Theory and Debate in Project Studies , 2020, Project Management Journal.

[3]  Monica L. Miller,et al.  Framework and case study for establishing impactful global health programs through academia - biopharmaceutical industry partnerships. , 2020, Research in social & administrative pharmacy : RSAP.

[4]  U. Varblane,et al.  The relative significance of higher education–industry cooperation barriers for different firms , 2020 .

[5]  Jing Wang,et al.  University–industry collaboration for BIM education: Lessons learned from a case study , 2020 .

[6]  Eduardo B. Pinto,et al.  Value of project management in university–industry R&D collaborations , 2020, International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.

[7]  Constantinos E. Chryssou.  University–industry interactions in the Sultanate of Oman: Challenges and opportunities , 2020 .

[8]  J. Ferreira,et al.  One for All and All for One: Collaboration and Cooperation in Triple Helix Knowledge Cocreation , 2019, International Regional Science Review.

[9]  C. Plewa,et al.  The Future of University-Business Cooperation: Research and Practice Priorities , 2019, Journal of Engineering and Technology Management.

[10]  T. Davey,et al.  The UBC ecosystem: putting together a comprehensive framework for university-business cooperation , 2019 .

[11]  Roland Königsgruber,et al.  What makes industry–university collaboration succeed? A systematic review of the literature , 2018, Journal of Business Economics.

[12]  M. S. Nagano,et al.  Elements influencing knowledge management in university-business-government collaboration: Case studies in National Institutes of Science and Technology , 2018, Knowledge and Process Management.

[13]  Katharina Löhr,et al.  Operational challenges in collaborative research projects: Addressing conflict multidimensionality , 2018, Kybernetes.

[14]  Joanna Kurowska-Pysz,et al.  The Relationships in the Process of Knowledge Transfer According to the Triple Helix Model , 2017 .

[15]  T. Davey.  Converting university knowledge into value: how conceptual frameworks contribute to the understanding of the third mission role of European universities , 2017 .

[16]  H. Mahoo,et al.  Conflict management systems for large scientific research projects , 2017 .

[17]  Aminah Robinson Fayek,et al.  A guided evaluation of the impact of research and development partnerships on university, industry, and government , 2017 .

[18]  Milind Padalkar,et al.  Six decades of project management research: Thematic trends and future opportunities , 2016 .

[19]  Lazar Rusu,et al.  IT Project Development using Capability Maturity Model , 2016, Inf. Resour. Manag. J..

[20]  Jonas Söderlund,et al.  Project studies and engaged scholarship: Directions towards contextualized and reflexive research on projects , 2016 .

[21]  Alsones Balestrin,et al.  PRÁTICAS COLABORATIVAS EM P&D: UM ESTUDO NA INDÚSTRIA BRASILEIRA DE SEMICONDUTORES , 2015 .

[22]  J. Kochanek,et al.  Mapping the collaborative research process , 2015 .

[23]  P. Groenewegen,et al.  Nurture over nature: How do European universities support their collaboration with business? , 2015, The Journal of Technology Transfer.

[24]  S. Ankrah,et al.  Universities-Industry Collaboration: A Systematic Review , 2015 .

[25]  P. Groenewegen,et al.  Supporting University—Industry Linkages , 2014 .

[26]  Willy C. Shih,et al.  Bridging Science and Technology through Academic-Industry Partnerships , 2014 .

[27]  P. Soranno,et al.  Creating and maintaining high-performing collaborative research teams: the importance of diversity and interpersonal skills , 2014 .

[28]  Harvey Maylor,et al.  Project management scholarship: Relevance, impact and five integrative challenges for business and management schools , 2012 .

[29]  P. Sijde.  Profiting from Knowledge Circulation: The Gains from University–Industry Interaction , 2012 .

[30]  B. Crona,et al.  Network Determinants of Knowledge Utilization , 2011 .

[31]  J. Söderlund,et al.  Management Education for Practicing Managers: Combining Academic Rigor With Personal Change and Organizational Action , 2011 .

[32]  Alan R. Hevner,et al.  A Fitness-Utility Model for Design Science Research , 2011, TMIS.

[33]  Magnus Gulbrandsen,et al.  Institutionalization of university-industry interaction: an empirical study of the impact of formal structures on collaboration patterns , 2011 .

[34]  Adrian Cherney,et al.  Utilization of social science research , 2011 .

[35]  Alexander Styhre,et al.  Balancing centripetal and centrifugal forces in the entrepreneurial university: a study of 10 research centres in a technical university , 2010, Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag..

[36]  P. Boardman,et al.  Influencing scientists’ collaboration and productivity patterns through new institutions: University research centers and scientific and technical human capital☆ , 2010 .

[37]  Craig Boardman,et al.  The new science and engineering management: cooperative research centers as government policies, industry strategies, and organizations , 2010 .

[38]  Peter W. G. Morris,et al.  Research and the future of project management , 2010 .

[39]  A. Salter,et al.  Investigating the factors that diminish the barriers to university–industry collaboration , 2009 .

[40]  M. Perkmann,et al.  Why do academics engage with industry? The entrepreneurial university and individual motivations , 2009 .

[41]  Vincent Larivière,et al.  Comparing Bibliometric Statistics Obtained from the Web of Science and Scopus , 2009, J. Assoc. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[42]  Simon P. Philbin.  Process model for university‐industry research collaboration , 2008 .

[43]  Derek H.T. Walker,et al.  Reflections on developing a project management doctorate , 2008 .

[44]  Derek H.T. Walker,et al.  Collaborative academic/practitioner research in project management : theory and models , 2008 .

[45]  Alex Gillespie,et al.  Collaborative Research, Knowledge and Emergence , 2007, Integrative psychological & behavioral science.

[46]  Harvey Goldstein,et al.  Assessing the Regional Economic Development Impacts of Universities: A Review of Current Approaches , 2007 .

[47]  Jacques Lauriol,et al.  Proposals for designing and controlling a doctoral research project in management sciences , 2006 .

[48]  Alan R. Hevner,et al.  Design Science in Information Systems Research , 2004, MIS Q..

[49]  D. Tranfield,et al.  Towards a Methodology for Developing Evidence-Informed Management Knowledge by Means of Systematic Review , 2003 .

[50]  H. Etzkowitz,et al.  The Role of Research Centres in the Collectivisation of Academic Science , 1998 .

[51]  James F. Moore.  The rise of a new corporate form , 1998 .

[52]  Jack R. Meredith,et al.  Theory Building through Conceptual Methods , 1993 .

[53]  J. F. Moore,et al.  Predators and prey: a new ecology of competition. , 1993, Harvard business review.

[54]  Eduardo B. Pinto,et al.  Collaborative R&D the Key Cooperation Domain for University-Industry Partnerships Sustainability - Position Paper , 2020, CENTERIS/ProjMAN/HCist.

[55]  Jonas Söderlund,et al.  Project studies: What it is, where it is going , 2018 .

[56]  Martin Matzner,et al.  New Service Development Through Action Design Research in Joint Research Projects , 2018, ECIS.

[57]  Gernot Grabher,et al.  Distance as asset? Knowledge collaboration in hybrid virtual communities , 2014 .

[58]  Frederik Ahlemann,et al.  A process framework for theoretically grounded prescriptive research in the project management field , 2013 .

[59]  Helena Bukvova.  Studying Research Collaboration: A Literature Review , 2010 .

[60]  Ovsei Gelman,et al.  The Case for Conceptual Research in Information Systems , 2008 .

[61]  Chihiro Watanabe,et al.  Japanese and US perspectives on the National Innovation Ecosystem , 2008 .

[62]  D. Sonnenwald.  Scientific collaboration , 2007, Annu. Rev. Inf. Sci. Technol..

[63]  Alan Nursall,et al.  Building public knowledge: collaborations between science centres, universities and industry , 2003, Int. J. Technol. Manag..