Abstract: The purpose of this paper is three-fold. Firstly, to review research regarding especially collaborative educational projects between industry and academia. Secondly, to present a unique collaborative project in a graduate course module on technology strategy between Lund Institute of Technology and Biogaia: a biotech company situated in Lund, Sweden. Thirdly, to present and discuss the key findings for working and collaborating with a company in university education and strategy research. Of special interest is the design of the unique pedagogical format and the collaborative project involving company managers, students and teachers. The paper also discusses implications for university teachers that intend to or already are using collaborative educational and research projects.

Abstract: We explore the usefulness of a ‘design’ perspective for organizing collaborative research to study scenario work. Design has been receiving increasing attention in the management literature (Denyer et al 2008) to facilitate relevant and rigorous research involving both executives and researchers. Our paper is based on a five year collaborative research programme on strategic renewal. Based on this experience and a review of the design literature, we derive and propose a set of design principles for undertaking collaborative research into scenario work to further the effective generation of usable and rigorous knowledge.

Abstract: In the past companies have been focussing on prognosis and trends to cope with the future. In an era of growing complexity and uncertainty, they have to widen their focus on alternative future developments – so-called scenarios. With a shift from a fully internal to a more open perspective in strategy processes, co-operations even in the field of scenario development become an important success factor. There are different ways how the collaborative scenario development can be organised. A basic decision is the integration of competitors. This can be made on the business or policy level. Additionally the scenarios can focus on one industry or can be developed with a general perspective. By combining this opportunities six different ways for collaborative scenario creation are conceivable.

Abstract: In this paper, we seek to balance the perspective between ideas and managers and suggest that the perspective is currently skewed in that we neglect to appreciate the power of ideas over people and strategy. We also put forward the role of a jester as an old management innovation, which plays a potentially critical role in this battle between ideas and managers.