Key aspects of establishing research, knowledge, and innovation‐based hubs as part of the local innovation ecosystem

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to increase the understanding of the principles of forming different types of hubs as spaces for collaborative R&D and innovation. This article offers valuable new knowledge regarding the establishment of hubs as part of the local innovation ecosystem. The paper will, through a qualitative multiple case study, shed light on the research issue of the establishment of hubs through an analysis of empirical data collected from three different types of hubs: a research hub, knowledge hub, and innovation hub. As a result, we introduce new building blocks of hubs to support managers and practitioners in forming collaborative hub structures.

Technologies and Innovations in the Educational Process: Experience of the University of the Future

“…Other characteristics include the following: interdisciplinary programs (Yunus et al, 2024), learning based on practical experience, formation of a culture of lifelong learning (Rosak-Szyrocka et al, 2022), and change or educational discourse (Bhinder, 2023). Additionally, the university of future is characterized by conducting the innovative research that addresses contemporary challenges and drives technological and social modernization (Haukipuro et al, 2024). Definitely, these characteristics collectively define the university of future as a dynamic, responsive, and forward-thinking institution that prepares students to operate successfully in a challenging professional landscape.…”

“…The findings show that technological transformations of the educational process nearly always lead to its enhancement and increase students' performance (Bakhmat et al, 2024). Since a number of technological advancements and pedagogical innovations are implemented within the educational process, they change the educational landscape significantly and facilitate the creation of the educational institution of new type that is often called the university of future (Ehlers & Eigbrecht, 2024;Haukipuro et al, 2024).…”

Places and spaces of collaborative R&D and innovation: navigating the role of physical and virtual contexts

“…Haukipuro et al. (2023) provide a practical framework for establishing research, knowledge, and innovation‐based hubs as part of the local innovation ecosystem. The research process involved identifying and crystallizing the research problem, conducting a state‐of‐the‐art study and literature review, establishing case hubs, and analyzing data within a transdisciplinary research team.…”

“…The special issue articles span a spectrum of themes, from the theoretical underpinnings of collaborative spaces to the effects of virtual and physical spaces on collaborative innovation. More specifically, they are examining cross-sector partnerships (Dzhengiz and Patala, 2023), collaborative innovation workplaces (Klooker and Hölzle, 2023), living labs (Della Santa et al, 2022), makerspaces (Zakoth et al, 2023), community-based collaborative dynamics (Capdevila and Mérindol, 2022), and hubs as spaces as part of the local innovation ecosystems (Haukipuro et al, 2023). Several articles specifically examine virtual collaboration spaces as a new and underresearched formation.…”

How can industrial management contribute to a brighter future?

“…Assessments of ecosystem virtuality will enable the involved actors to make better-informed decisions for adequate means and modes of virtual tools for ecosystem-wide collaboration. For instance, ecosystem infrastructure such as innovation hubs (Haukipuro et al 2023) can be set up physically, virtually, or in between, and emerging ecosystem instances of the so-called industrial metaverse are interfacing the physical and digital space by design while the scope of applications is still evolving (Li et al 2023).…”