Knowledge exchange in a global city: a typology of universities and institutional analysis

ABSTRACT

In the existing literature of knowledge exchange (KE) and higher education, there is limited but emerging cluster of research which undertakes a comprehensive analysis of various types of higher education institutions and patterns of KE engagement. Employing the empirical example of Hong Kong, this paper examines the interconnections between institutional types and patterns of knowledge exchange (KE) activities in the context of a global city. It found that during the short history of KE policies and activities, all public universities in Hong Kong have been building their capacities for this new intellectual premise in the last decade. Meanwhile, disciplinary comprehensiveness and research/education intensity of the universities affect their institutional responses to the global trend of KE. The typology of higher education institutions suggested by this paper puts forward a perspective to further understand the institutional patterns of KE in the twenty-first century.

KEYWORDS:

• Institutional types in higher education
• knowledge transfer
• third mission
• public good
• entrepreneurial universities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

As a sociologist, Hei-Hang Hayes Tang is interested in the fields of education policy, higher education, academic profession and youth studies. His research focuses on the sociological role of higher education in entrepreneurial society and global city. He is committed to create new knowledge in application for better education governance and policy innovation in East Asian entrepreneurial societies, amidst the age of global inequalities, populism and authoritarianism. Currently he conducts academic researches on ‘entrepreneurial universities’, academic profession and institutional ethnography, as well as youth engagement, higher education and global citizenship. He aspires to build lifelong partnership with students and professionals so as to enlighten his analysis on educational development and policy anew with fresh perspectives, along with greater social impact and professional relevance. Alongside his intellectual pursuits, he serves a campus evangelical ministry.

Chi-fung Wilton Chau is a Research Assistant at the Department of Education Policy and Leadership, The Education University of Hong Kong. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from The University of Western Australia, and a Master of Arts in Modern Asian Studies with distinction from City University of Hong Kong. Wilton is particularly interested in the dynamics of power and ethnicity in both colonial and contemporary settings. He is mesmerized by the constantly evolving socio-political cleavages, the centrality of ethnic identity, state patronage, opinion leadership, and intergroup dialogues. His current research studies youth civic engagement against the backdrop of intergenerational animosity in Hong Kong.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.