Guenther Schuh

Scientific Cooperation Engineering Making Interdisciplinary Knowledge Available within Research Facilities and to External Stakeholders

In this paper we introduce the Scientific Cooperation Portal (SCP), a social enterprise software, and how it is integrated into our process of Scientific Cooperation Engineering. This process is applied in a large-scale interdisciplinary research cluster to ensure and manage the success of the interdisciplinary cooperation of over 180 researchers in different qualification levels. We investigate the influence of shared method competencies as an exemplary driver for collaboration. From the results we address both offline and online measures to improve interdisciplinary collaboration. We show how the knowledge generated from offline measures such as colloquia are transferred to the SCP and connected with other data available on the portal. This includes the handling of interdisciplinary terminologies, the disposability of publications and technology data sheets. The portal fosters knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary awareness within the research cluster as well as technology dissemination both within the cluster, across the university, and into industry. The effectiveness of the approach is continuously assessed using a traditional balanced scorecard approach as well as additional qualitative measures such as interviews and focus groups.

Governance Framework for the Operation of Focal-Organized, Self-Financed Research Networks

Companies face increasing challenges in research due to a constant changing international competitive environment as well as a high innovation pressure. To be competitive companies need to cooperate and innovate together in research networks. However, these networks can fail. This observation can be reduced on insecurities concerning management tasks, missing competence management, increasing number of members and thereby increasing organizational complexity. Consequentially, an organizational framework is needed as a guideline addressing processes, roles, tools and rules within research networks. Goal of this paper is therefore to describe and structure the elements of a governance framework for research networks. Keywords— Interorganizational Cooperation, Design Of Network Governance, Research Network