6533b7d6fe1ef96bd1265e31

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Forskningens regionale betydning

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This chapter addresses the regional impact of research. The chapter presents, and partly develops, a framework for analysing how research in a region impacts the knowledge forms in the region. In order to do so, the chapter both presents a systemic approach to the impact of research-based knowledge, defines itself within a sociology of knowledge tradition and also, based on that, uses a model of a regional knowledge system as a framework for analysing the impact of different kinds of regionally related research. This model divides the regional knowledge system into areas characterised by either institutions, norms, attitudes or rules. The chapter used this model of the regional knowledge system to map 55 different research projects that have been conducted in the Agder region of Norway over the last 15 years. The 55 projects represent a wide range of topics and disciplines. Based on this mapping, the chapter argues that a) the research projects have a clear strategy for the particular knowledge area in the region they are targeting and uses relevant methodologies for this purpose, b) research-based knowledge is supportive, helpful and critical in relation to existing regional knowledge, and c) research-based knowledge addresses a large spectrum of knowledge forms in the region. The chapter does not discuss the impact of this knowledge with respect to social change. Furthermore, a limitation of the study, as well as a suggestion for further research, is that it does not analyse how social change might be a result of parallel changes within several knowledge forms in the region.