The Impact of HEIs on Regional Development: Facts and Practices of Collaborative Work With SMEs

Book excerpt: Higher education institutions (HEIs) are providers of knowledge and competencies. HEIs are very important to the development of society and the regions they impact geographically. The current uncertainty and challenges require new ways of educating. They require the use of new pedagogical tools that prepare students to deal with real and future problems, train them to deliver solutions, help them to analyze challenges and create future scenarios, and engage them in collaborative work toward the creation of innovation. Collaborative work between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and HEIs broadens networking, stimulates research, accelerates innovation, and nurtures regional development. The Impact of HEIs on Regional Development: Facts and Practices of Collaborative Work With SMEs shares the best practices of implemented co-creation innovation processes by HEIs. It describes the pedagogical processes and tools used to respond to SME challenges. Covering topics such as innovation co-creation networks, sustainable development, and teaching entrepreneurship, this premier reference source is an excellent resource for policymakers, administrators, educators and students of higher education, practitioners, librarians, researchers, and academicians.