Understanding how value, power and expertise circulates in (creative) knowledge exchange programmes

Roberts, Liz

Abstract

This paper uses the South West Creative Technology Network (SWCTN) in the South West, UK, as a case study to examine the diverse economies evident in knowledge exchange (KE) programmes delivering university-industry research and development (R&D). Counter to normative measures of success for KE programmes such as key performance indicators, and moving beyond evaluations that discount the diverse impacts of these programmes at interpersonal- or cross-sectoral- levels as ‘intangible’ or ‘spillover,’ this paper takes a cultural ecology perspective to deliberately make tangible the emergent dynamic relationships and multiple forms of value that KE programmes support and produce, and the wider implication of these for building regional creative sector capacity and cultural value. It highlights the multi-directional types of KE that happen between universities, creative industries and other sectors. It complicates linear models of innovation funding. The author draws on empirical data from interviews, surveys and ethnographic observation made possible through being embedded within the programme’s delivery team. The paper critically assesses the expertise and power that circulate, finding that the goals and ethos, as well as the economic and non-economic values in the programme created tensions, problems of inclusion, and contradictory notions of success for the delivery team and for participants.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 1, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 12, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 2, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 22, 2023
• Journal: Creative Industries Journal
• Print ISSN: 1751-0694
• Publisher: Intellect
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17510694.2023.2210706
• Keywords: Management of Technology and Innovation, Strategy and Management, Visual Arts and Performing Arts, Communication, Cultural Studies; knowledge exchange; cultural and creative industries; spillover; cultural value; cultural ecology; diverse economies
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10834632
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17510694.2023.2210706?journalCode=rcij20