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Establishing the Regional Sustainable Developmental Role of Universities—From the Multilevel-Perspective (MLP) and Beyond

Author

Listed:
  • Verena Radinger-Peer

    (Department of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, 1180 Vienna, Austria)

  • Gesa Pflitsch

    (Department of Geography, Philipps-University Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany)

  • Helga Kanning

    (Sustainify GmbH, Hanover and Institute of Environmental Planning, Leibniz University Hannover, 30419 Hanover, Germany)

  • Daniel Schiller

    (Institute of Geography and Geology, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany)

Abstract

This article establishes the multilevel perspective (MLP) as one of the main research approaches in transition research to study complex systemic change processes in socio-technical systems at different structural levels. The application of the MLP to the higher education system, especially to conceptualize the transition of universities towards a sustainable (regional) developmental role, is still in its infancy. Through using a descriptive narrative analysis of seminal articles, the results of the four-years cooperation within an expert working group, and own empirical findings, the present paper investigates the suitability of the MLP to study the transition of universities and university systems towards a sustainable developmental role in the regional context. Based on these investigations, three further perspectives (which must be considered for establishing a more comprehensive understanding of the universities’ sustainable developmental role) are identified and conceptualized: (a) The target dimension of sustainable regional development, (b) the role of agency, and (c) the introduction of space and place to multiscalar regional transitions. Based on these perspectives, a future research agenda beyond the MLP is developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Verena Radinger-Peer & Gesa Pflitsch & Helga Kanning & Daniel Schiller, 2021. "Establishing the Regional Sustainable Developmental Role of Universities—From the Multilevel-Perspective (MLP) and Beyond," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:13:p:6987-:d:579319
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