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The story of a university knowledge exchange actor-network told through the sociology of translation: a case study

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The story of a university knowledge exchange actor-network told through the sociology of translation: a case study. / Smith, S M; Rose, M B; Hamilton, E E.
In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research, Vol. 16, No. 6, 31.12.2010, p. 502-516.

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Smith SM, Rose MB, Hamilton EE. The story of a university knowledge exchange actor-network told through the sociology of translation: a case study. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research. 2010 Dec 31;16(6):502-516. doi: 10.1108/13552551011082470

Author

Smith, S M ; Rose, M B ; Hamilton, E E. / The story of a university knowledge exchange actor-network told through the sociology of translation: a case study. In: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research. 2010 ; Vol. 16, No. 6. pp. 502-516.

Bibtex

@article{70cfd36732404f35b132034b0af8cd53,
title = "The story of a university knowledge exchange actor-network told through the sociology of translation: a case study",
abstract = "Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to tell the story of the evolution of knowledge exchange (KE) activity within a department in a university in the north west of England and to understand this activity through the lens of actor-network theory.Design/methodology/approach – Applying the sociology of translation to one qualitative interview shows how different actors were enrolled and mobilized into a KE actor-network. The process of translation consists of four stages, problematisation, enrolment, interessement and mobilisation of allies which have been applied to the data to tell the story of the KE actor-network. This is a cross-disciplinary approach using a theoretical framework from sociology and applying it to a management/organizational context.Findings – This framework brings fresh ways of looking at the importance of KE networks within universities. Although limited to one interview, the methodology allows for an in-depth reading of the data and shows how resilient and flexible this actor-network is to withstand and respond appropriately to shifts in policy and subsequent provisions for small- and medium-sized enterprise business support.Originality/value – Building from one case, the paper concludes that this account adds to an historical understanding of how universities become involved with KE activities. The inclusion of non-human actors allows for a deeper understanding of the actor-network and shows the importance of actors such as White Papers, pots of funding and physical buildings to the role of KE within higher education.",
keywords = "Buildings, England , Financing , Knowledge transfer , Small to medium-sized enterprises , Universities",
author = "Smith, {S M} and Rose, {M B} and Hamilton, {E E}",
year = "2010",
month = dec,
day = "31",
doi = "10.1108/13552551011082470",
language = "English",
volume = "16",
pages = "502--516",
journal = "International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research",
issn = "1355-2554",
publisher = "Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.",
number = "6",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The story of a university knowledge exchange actor-network told through the sociology of translation: a case study

AU - Smith, S M

AU - Rose, M B

AU - Hamilton, E E

PY - 2010/12/31

Y1 - 2010/12/31

N2 - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to tell the story of the evolution of knowledge exchange (KE) activity within a department in a university in the north west of England and to understand this activity through the lens of actor-network theory.Design/methodology/approach – Applying the sociology of translation to one qualitative interview shows how different actors were enrolled and mobilized into a KE actor-network. The process of translation consists of four stages, problematisation, enrolment, interessement and mobilisation of allies which have been applied to the data to tell the story of the KE actor-network. This is a cross-disciplinary approach using a theoretical framework from sociology and applying it to a management/organizational context.Findings – This framework brings fresh ways of looking at the importance of KE networks within universities. Although limited to one interview, the methodology allows for an in-depth reading of the data and shows how resilient and flexible this actor-network is to withstand and respond appropriately to shifts in policy and subsequent provisions for small- and medium-sized enterprise business support.Originality/value – Building from one case, the paper concludes that this account adds to an historical understanding of how universities become involved with KE activities. The inclusion of non-human actors allows for a deeper understanding of the actor-network and shows the importance of actors such as White Papers, pots of funding and physical buildings to the role of KE within higher education.

AB - Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to tell the story of the evolution of knowledge exchange (KE) activity within a department in a university in the north west of England and to understand this activity through the lens of actor-network theory.Design/methodology/approach – Applying the sociology of translation to one qualitative interview shows how different actors were enrolled and mobilized into a KE actor-network. The process of translation consists of four stages, problematisation, enrolment, interessement and mobilisation of allies which have been applied to the data to tell the story of the KE actor-network. This is a cross-disciplinary approach using a theoretical framework from sociology and applying it to a management/organizational context.Findings – This framework brings fresh ways of looking at the importance of KE networks within universities. Although limited to one interview, the methodology allows for an in-depth reading of the data and shows how resilient and flexible this actor-network is to withstand and respond appropriately to shifts in policy and subsequent provisions for small- and medium-sized enterprise business support.Originality/value – Building from one case, the paper concludes that this account adds to an historical understanding of how universities become involved with KE activities. The inclusion of non-human actors allows for a deeper understanding of the actor-network and shows the importance of actors such as White Papers, pots of funding and physical buildings to the role of KE within higher education.

KW - Buildings

KW - England

KW - Financing

KW - Knowledge transfer

KW - Small to medium-sized enterprises

KW - Universities

U2 - 10.1108/13552551011082470

DO - 10.1108/13552551011082470

M3 - Journal article

VL - 16

SP - 502

EP - 516

JO - International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research

JF - International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research

SN - 1355-2554

IS - 6

ER -