Universities and innovation strategies in rural regions: The case of the greater Lincolnshire innovation programme (UK)

Salomaa, Maria, Charles, David and Bosworth, Gary (2023) Universities and innovation strategies in rural regions: The case of the greater Lincolnshire innovation programme (UK). Industry and Higher Education, 37 (1). pp. 67-79. ISSN 0950-4222

[img]
Preview
Text (Advance online version)
Advance online version.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

Download (708kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
Text (Final published version)
09504222221096279.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

Download (708kB) | Preview
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/09504222221096279

Abstract

There is limited experience with innovation policies in rural areas, often based on a one-size-fits-all approach. However, rural businesses have diverse needs and there is difficulty in applying smart specialisation approaches for the use of European Union Cohesion funding in rural areas. A key resource in rural areas is the local university, and universities face increased demands to support local firms. This paper examines one particular case of a university in a rural region and its use of the European Regional Development Fund to support innovation activities. The challenges of working with rural businesses are explored, as is the focus on one-to-one support rather than the more collective smart specialisation approach. Universities need to take a pragmatic approach to ensure that the needs of firms can be balanced with the capacities of rural universities which are often smaller and more specialised than urban universities.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Funding information: This work was supported by H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (722295)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Rural innovation, smart specialisation, universities, Cohesion Policy, structural funds
Subjects: L300 Sociology
L900 Others in Social studies
Department: Faculties > Business and Law > Newcastle Business School
Depositing User: Rachel Branson
Date Deposited: 04 May 2022 11:39
Last Modified: 05 Apr 2023 13:15
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/49030

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics