Mobilizing for change: A study of research units in emerging scientific fields

Local research units, this article argues, play a very important role for the scientific field they belong to, for example by mobilizing financial support, offering job opportunities, attracting talented recruits, and providing adequate training. Little is known, however, about such units, at least in the fields under study here, i.e., studies of innovation, entrepreneurship and related phenomena. This article focuses – with the help of a survey of 136 research units worldwide supplemented by a number of case-studies – on the factors that influence the extent to which local mobilization efforts succeed. The research shows that universities provide the most fertile grounds for such research units, and that external support and support from the leadership of the university are important factors behind their establishment. In the longer term, however, attracting core (basic) finance is essential for the unit's ability to maintain cognitive control of its research program. Units that develop their own Master and PhD programs appear more likely than others to achieve these aims.

► Contains the first systematic study of local research units in studies of innovation, entrepreneurship and related fields. ► Surveys 136 research units in such fields worldwide with a focus on their basic characteristics, barriers and support, and current challenges. ► Includes six case-studies of research units, of which four were eventually closed down, from five different countries. ► Shows that units that in addition to research also offer graduate and post-graduate education are better able to control their research agenda and mobilize core funding.