A legitimacy approach to social innovation initiatives at universities. (31st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donati, Letizia; Wigren-Kristoferson, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Science and public policy. Volume 50:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2022-10-31
• Subjects: legitimacy -- third mission -- social innovation; Science and state -- Periodicals; 338.926
• DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scac066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0302-3427

Abstract

Abstract: A striving for research excellence and the implementation of third mission activities in the form of technology transfer have become standard practices at modern higher education institutions. The recent call for universities to include social innovation in their third mission and the apparent lack of involvement of universities in this area indicate that social innovation is not yet perceived as a legitimate activity by the academic community. We examine why this is the case and disentangle the legitimation journey of social innovation in research-intensive environments.