Strengthening social innovation in higher education institutes – an organizational change process involving staff and students
ISSN: 1750-8614
Article publication date: 7 June 2021
Issue publication date: 28 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
In recent decades, higher education institutes (HEIs) have come under pressure to cooperate with society as a whole. This shift towards an increased focus on third mission and social innovation activities implies a substantial organizational change process for many HEIs, as they need to initiate both structural and cultural changes. This paper provides guidance for such change processes by examining the views and attitudes of academic and administrative staff, as well as students within the HEIs over a period in which the HEIs increase their focus on social innovation.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a longitudinal quantitative approach consisting of a survey of administrative and academic staff, as well as students at two German HEIs. The authors studied members’ attitudes towards third mission and social innovation activities (N = 3470).
Findings
Results suggest that the university members’ attitudes towards third mission and social innovation are positive but change to some extent over time. Different aspects shape the attitudes within the three groups (administrative staff, academic staff and students). Furthermore, attitudes vary among academic employees who are involved in the process and those who are not.
Practical implications
The findings provide useful information for university managers and anyone aiming to promote social innovation at HEIs.
Originality/value
The study examines how attitudes of university members change whenever social innovation takes place at HEIs. This study includes data on the participation and empowerment of all HEI members in view of the important role that HEIs can play as supporters of social innovation.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Linda Buerkle and Miriam Widmann for their support in recruiting the sample and conducting the study.
Funding: Data are based on a joint third mission project of two German HEIs that was financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Germany.
Citation
Prantl, J., Freund, S. and Kals, E. (2022), "Strengthening social innovation in higher education institutes – an organizational change process involving staff and students", Social Enterprise Journal, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 140-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEJ-10-2020-0094
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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