Applied Social Science Research in a Regional Knowledge System ― Balancing Validity, Meaning and Convenience

This book illustrates how applied social scientists and their research are integrated with stakeholders and practitioners in a local/regional setting, and how knowledge development is a mutual concern, made in, and dependent on, ongoing dialogue. Focusing on the Agder region, the southernmost region in Norway, researchers and contributors question what impact the changing economic environment will have on applied researchers around the world. Applied research is seen as a vital part of the infrastructure for economic and social development, in the Agder region and beyond. The chapters are divided into four parts:

• The special dimension of knowledge development
• Understanding regional practice
• Explaining regional practice
• Influencing regional social practice

A useful resource for both policy makers and researchers, the book helps readers reflect on the type of mutual competence building that applied social science research implies, and depends on, in a regional knowledge development process. It represents a voice on how to understand the development of the knowledge society at regional and global levels.

Hans Christian Garmann Johnsen is a professor in the Department of Working Life and Innovation at the University of Agder, Norway, and a senior researcher at Agder Research, Norway.

Elisabet S. Hauge is a senior researcher at Agder Research, Norway, and post doc at the University of Agder, Norway.

May-Linda Magnussen PhD, is the Head of Equality and Integration and Senior Researcher at Agder Research, Norway.

Richard Ennals is Professor in the Department of Working Life and Innovation at the University of Agder, Norway. He is also Professor in the Department of Skill and Technology at Linnaeus University, Sweden, and Emeritus Professor at Kingston University, UK.