Birgitte Gregersen

An NSI in Transition? Denmark

This major book presents case studies of ten small country national systems of innovation (NSIs) in Europe and Asia, namely, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden and Taiwan. These cases have been carefully selected as examples of success within the context of globalization and as ‘new economies’ where competition is increasingly based on innovation.

Linking between Danish universities and society

In Denmark, third mission activities were for the first time explicitly formulated as mandatory in the University Act of May 2003, and the purpose of this paper is to analyze current third mission experiences from two younger Danish universities (University of Southern Denmark and Aalborg University). The two case studies show that third mission activities are perceived and implemented in different ways, depending on factors both internal and external to the university. Third mission activities are becoming more strategic for the universities and their collaboration partners, and the paper concludes that there is a need for universities, policy-makers and society in general to find a balance between commercialization and open access to university-generated knowledge, a balance between third mission activities aiming at industry demand and broader societal considerations, and a balance between the allocation of financial and other resources among the three missions. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Developing Universities - The Evolving Role of Academic Institutions in Denmark

From a traditional economic point of view, it may seem as a paradox that a small country (5.5 million inhabitants) with high wages, high taxes, a large public sector, a relatively low level of RD Christensen et al. 2008).

Comparing National Systems of Innovation: The Case of Finland, Denmark and Sweden

One way to get a better understanding of innovation processes in a specific country might be to carry out a systematic comparison with other countries. In this way the international diversity of modes and methods of innovation might be used to enhance the comprehension of national innovation possibilities. The concept of ‘national systems of innovation’ might be useful as a tool in such comparative studies.

Role of Universities for Inclusive Development and Social Innovation: Experiences from Denmark

Seen from the point of view of inclusiveness and social innovation, having access to new knowledge and learning is the key issue, but not the only relevant. The teaching and learning model influences the conditions for inclusive development to a high degree. It is argued that especially problem-based learning (PBL) can be an efficient tool to engage students (including first-generation academics) in higher education and stimulate collaboration with external partners—including SMEs and non-favoured citizens and regions. Universities are increasingly recognised as important drivers for innovation and sustainable development, and they are expected to play a crucial role in both the policy formulation and its implementation. This chapter discusses how these ‘new’ views on the role of contemporary universities may influence some of the current issues related to inclusive development and social innovation in a Danish context and finally current challenges that Danish universities face in their efforts to play an active role for inclusive development and social innovation are discussed.

Pitfalls and opportunities in knowledge sharing: experiences from a research capacity building project in Central America

A number of attempts have been made in the North to assist in the formation of independent research capacities in the South by establishing knowledge sharing through North-South research collaboration. The development aid department of the Danish ministry of foreign affairs initiated one such attempt. Aalborg University was approached by the National University of Costa Rica to make a joint research venture within the field of sustainable development. The project got a Central American regional perspective by including participants from Nicaragua and El Salvador. It aimed at the support of relevant Central American research activities, including the formation of adequate organisational setups. In this paper, the Central American universities are viewed as important subsystems of the respective national systems of innovation. It discusses research capacity enhancement through collaborative research between Denmark and Central America. To what extent did the knowledge transfer and sharing, as well as the organisational capacity building efforts, succeed? Our overall conclusion is that the research capacity that exists in the North has to be carefully adapted to the specific context in places where it is expected to be useful. Research capacity is built much more by interaction and collaboration than by one-way transfers.

Universités en voie de développement : évolution du rôle des établissements d’enseignement supérieur au Danemark

D’un point de vue economique traditionnel, il pourrait sembler paradoxal qu’un petit pays (5,5 millions d’habitants) avec des salaires eleves, une forte fiscalite, un secteur public etendu, relativement peu d’activite de RD Christensen et al. 2008).