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The Role of Universities in Building Local Economic Capacities
Author(s) -
Taylor Michael,
Plummer Paul,
Bryson John R.,
Garlick Steve
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
politics and policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.259
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1747-1346
pISSN - 1555-5623
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-1346.2008.00102.x
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , economic globalization , human capital , globalization , entrepreneurship , local economic development , capacity building , political science , economic system , economics , economic growth , market economy , finance , artificial intelligence , computer science
As the knowledge economy develops and intensifies, increasing pressure is being placed on universities to help in local economic capacity building to meet the challenges of globalization. This article explores this expanded university role from the perspective of the provision of policy analysis and advice they can provide. It proposes the use of mixed‐methods analysis, combining informed empirical modeling and “intensive” case studies to reveal local economic processes. An analysis of Australia's regional problems to exemplify this approach highlights the significance of “enterprising human capital” in promoting regional economic growth and suggests a policy prescription that includes enterprising education. In contradistinction, using U.K. evidence, the pitfalls of entrepreneurship education are outlined as it relates to the role of universities in local economic capacity building. The study calls for dialogue to bring about radical rethinking of policy analysis, advice, and the role universities can play in local economic capacity building.