Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal yet underexplored role in Regional Green Transitions (RGTs) and sustainable development. This volume addresses this knowledge gap by examining how universities in the Nordic region engage with RGTs, offering theoretical and methodological insights from diverse disciplines such as economic geography, political economy, organizational theory, and education. The Nordic region, often regarded as a benchmark for best practices in education, research, innovation, and regional development, serves as the backdrop for this exploration.
Through a rich collection of case studies, the book reveals that RGTs are neither linear nor uniform. Universities navigate these transitions at varying speeds and with different strategies. Some act as agenda-setters, leveraging local coalitions and innovation ecosystems, while others adopt a more cautious approach, observing leading regions and institutions before committing to action. Structural pressures, such as national funding systems, global supply chains, and sectoral dependencies, further shape their responses.
Offering important conceptual and practical insights for a wide variety of audiences, from social scientists and advance students to university managers, and policymakers, this volume underscores the critical role of HEIs in advancing RGTs (and change processes more generally) amidst evolving political, economic, and social landscapes.
Higher education institutions play a pivotal yet underexplored role in Regional Green Transitions and sustainable development. This volume addresses this knowledge gap by examining how Nordic universities engage with RGTs, offering insights from economic geography, political economy, organizational theory, and education.
Arvustused
Universities are vitally important institutions in the 21st century, not just because of specific things they do, such as teaching students or developing technologies, but because they bring together so many skills, areas of knowledge and potential for action in a holistic way to address the main challenges facing society. This book presents an essential guide to how the Nordic universities are engaging with regional green transitions, stimulating learning across national and regional contexts, and keeping us all focused on a critical task to ensure the survival of our way of life. David Charles, Professor of Enterprise and Innovation and was founding director of the Northumbria Centre for Innovation, Regional Transformation and Entrepreneurship (iNCITE), Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University, UK.
In a time of geopolitical turmoil, universities are needed more than ever to drive change towards a more sustainable future. The book provides an essential resource for understanding the role of universities in regional green transitions. Teis Hansen, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen.
While it is well-known that HEIs are a central actor in shaping regional innovation and development, their role in carving out regional pathways towards green transition is less clear. In todays world marked by accelerating environmental crises, social inequality and political polarisation leveraging universities agency in regional green transitions is of ever more importance. Convening case studies from across the Nordic countries, this book adds timely insights and raises pertinent new questions on this underdeveloped research and policy theme. Lars Coenen, Professor at HVL Business School, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences.
Part I: Setting the Stage
1. Universities and Regional Green Transitions
in the Nordics Rómulo Pinheiro, Ina Drejer, Dzamila Bienkowska, Vito Laterza
& Markku Sotarauta
2. Green regional transitions and Nordic higher education:
Conceptual foundations Ina Drejer, Dzamila Bienkowska, Rómulo Pinheiro, Vito
Laterza & Markku Sotarauta Part II: Balancing Stakeholder Expectations and
Institutional Engagement
3. Steering regional green transitions: Universities
Roles in a Broader Societal Context Jouni Kekäle & Rómulo Pinheiro
4.
Repositioning Regional University College Amidst the Green Transition: The
Case of Pärnu County, Estonia Antti Roose, Triin Tillart & Yuzhou Cai
5. The
role of social sciences in regional green transitions: A critical-reflective
perspective Mette Vinther Larsen, Ina Drejer & Martin Lehmann Part III:
Leadership, Strategic Transformation and Impact
6. A place leadership role
for universities? Markku Sotarauta
7. Assessing environmental impact of
universities: Challenges and implications for regional green transitions
Frida Layti Part IV: Educating for Green Transitions while preserving
academic integrity
8. Empowering Sustainability through Active Pedagogical
Methods and Regional Engagement Marthe Elden Wilhelmsen
9. Entrepreneurship
programs for rural new ventures: Outreach and impact through entrepreneurship
training Dzamila Bienkowska, Wisdom Kanda, Magnus Klofsten &, Charlotte
Norrman
10. How can students view on climate neutrality contribute to a
sustainable future? The case of a regionally intensive Higher Education
Institution Henna Juusola &Mona Roman Part V: Concluding Arguments
11.
Universities and Regional Green Transitions: Complexity, contestation and one
way forward Vito Laterza, Markku Sotarauta, Dzamila Bienkowska, Ina Drejer &
Rómulo Pinheiro
Rómulo Pinheiro is Professor of Public Policy and Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Agder, Norway.
Ina Drejer is Professor in Innovation Studies at Aalborg University Business School, Denmark.
Dzamila Bienkowska is a Senior Associate Professor in industrial organization at Linköping University, Sweden.
Vito Laterza is Associate Professor in the Department of the Global Development and Planning, University of Agder, Norway.
Markku Sotarauta is Professor of regional development studies in the Faculty of Management and Business at Tampere University, Finland.
