SDL Approach to University-Small Business Learning : Mapping the Learning Journey

Abstract

This paper explores the important link between the knowledge exchange activities of small businesses and universities, and the co-production and co-creation of value as perceived by the small business owner-manager. Small business owner-managers seek out information to help identify opportunities, especially information that formalizes their mental schemas around positive outputs and outcomes associated with innovation adoption and dissemination. More importantly, these same owner-managers identify advisors within these knowledge exchange encounters that will help them develop their mental schemas to understand the requirements for change, analyse the existing or latent market needs, and through this develop new understanding. We present our findings in the form of a map detailing the co-production/co-creation of value derived from university-small business collaboration, and some insights into the motivation, rationale and experiences of both parties. We conclude with our understanding of the outcomes and impacts derived, and suggestions on how the collaborative partners could better manage the whole process.