Johanna Julia Vauterin, Lassi Linnanen and Esa Marttila
This paper seeks to redress the lack of academic attention being given to the relationship between academia and industry in the competitive environment of international higher…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to redress the lack of academic attention being given to the relationship between academia and industry in the competitive environment of international higher education‐related service delivery and use. It adopts a relational marketing approach to value creation in service interactions and explore the expectations and perceptions of employers and university academics and practitioners. The research focuses on a comprehensive mapping of gaps in the international higher education service at large, and specifically in the context of degree programme development, recruiting international students and associated service interactions with industry. It highlights some of the issues pertaining to service quality, customer orientation and sustainability in international higher education and associated service delivery.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is an exploratory case study set in the context of Finnish higher education. It relies on qualitative research methods and applies the GAP model for the analysis of the empirical data.
Findings
Five gaps and a surplus gap are identified in the delivery of high‐quality customer service in the context of university‐industry interactions in international higher education. To close the gaps between academia and industry, the relationship marketing approach is proposed.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the research stream on university‐industry relationships. The results should help to enhance understanding of customer service delivery in the linkage between academia and industry. The novelty of the paper lies in the integration of the language and logic associated with customer‐oriented service delivery into the operational context of higher education service interaction between academia and industry.
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Mirja Mikkilä, Jussi Heinimö, Virgilio Panapanaan, Lassi Linnanen and Andre Faaij
The purpose of this paper is to outline a comprehensive picture of the coverage of various certification schemes and sustainability principles relating to the entire value‐added…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline a comprehensive picture of the coverage of various certification schemes and sustainability principles relating to the entire value‐added chain of biomass and bioenergy and comparing them accordingly.
Design/methodology/approach
A tri‐dimensional approach (sustainability issues; technical biomass conversion routes; physical trade flows) was developed for testing the coverage of various sustainability dimensions in different phases of the value‐added chain with the chosen certification schemes and sustainability principles.
Findings
Using the tri‐dimensional approach, a comparison of the chosen schemes and principles demonstrated that the application of existing schemes and the development of new ones have placed a major emphasis on the primary production of biomass. Economic and social dimensions related to biofuels and bioenergy processing and trade were either emphasised less or they were covered inadequately. In view of this, the schemes sometimes seem to ignore that the utilisation of renewable energy as such guarantee no positive or neutral climate impact and may not be economically sustainable, especially when bioenergy can often be more expensive than energy generated from fossil energy sources.
Originality/value
The analysis showed that the tri‐dimensional model is an applicable framework that could facilitate policy makers to formulate policies that comprehensively take into consideration the various sustainability dimensions throughout the entire value‐added chain, now and in the future. It can be applied to the future outlining and completion of certification schemes and sustainability principles for biomass and bioenergy, as well as in the testing of their applicability in the implementation.
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Anne Hämäläinen, Virgilio Panapanaan, Mirja Mikkilä, Lassi Linnanen and Jussi Heinimö
The purpose of this paper is to find out the views, concerns and opinions of stakeholders in Finland about the on‐going EU‐wide development of sustainability criteria for biomass…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to find out the views, concerns and opinions of stakeholders in Finland about the on‐going EU‐wide development of sustainability criteria for biomass production and utilization.
Design/methodology/approach
Interviews were conducted among Finnish stakeholders in the biomass sector which include representatives from government ministries, associations of industries and agricultural producers, research institutions and non‐governmental organizations.
Findings
The majority of Finnish stakeholders are in agreement that sustainability criteria for biomass are needed because of the expanding and globalizing nature of the use and trade of biomass. Finnish stakeholders generally agreed that they should actively participate in the development of sustainability criteria both at international and local levels. Administrative/technical, environmental, social and economic aspects were elicited as critical factors for the development of sustainability criteria.
Practical implications
This study emphasizes and puts forward the importance of taking stakeholders' viewpoints and their participation in the planning and development of sustainability criteria. This study affirms how Finnish stakeholders can strongly articulate their views and opinions about the sustainability of biomass. These views and concerns of stakeholders can be significant or critical inputs in top level decision making related to biomass production and utilization in Finland and in the EU.
Originality/value
This paper can be a position paper to highlight the concerns of Finnish stakeholders on sustainability criteria development. It also highlights the special circumstances of Finnish biomass. These concerns and circumstances are valuable information for criteria developers, biomass certifiers, decision makers and regulatory bodies.
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Johanna Julia Vauterin, Lassi Linnanen and Esa Marttila
This paper takes the stance that the continuous growth of international student degree mobility creates new opportunities for academia and business to collaborate to mutual…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper takes the stance that the continuous growth of international student degree mobility creates new opportunities for academia and business to collaborate to mutual advantage. To recognize, identify and exploit these opportunities, it is critically important to understand what boundaries stand between university‐industry partnering initiatives in international higher education (HE) and what interaction processes span these boundaries. The purpose of this paper is to develop a model of the boundary‐spanning functions and processes underpinning value marketing for strategic university‐industry partnering.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper employs interpretive phenomenological research methods. It takes an investigative case‐based approach, studying over time the boundaries, boundary roles and processes involved in university‐industry collaborative interaction in the context of Finnish international HE.
Findings
The findings suggest that conceptualization of the university‐industry boundary‐spanning processes in international HE needs to be extended to incorporate elements concerning the power, impact and management of the boundary roles. A better understanding and adequate managing of the boundary roles may help to decrease the perceived market demand uncertainty surrounding international HE. The findings also suggest that in‐depth research is needed for the development of a holistic understanding of how partnering for international HE is experienced.
Originality/value
This paper represents a first attempt to conceptualize university‐industry boundary‐spanning processes, both in a general manner and from a viewpoint of value creation in working partnerships between academia and business within the context of international HE.