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

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

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.

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads