University-Society Integration Through Action Research Projects
491
action. Networking permeates the project from start to finish, be it in decision making
as well as choosing partners.
The financial resources factor fluctuates in each project according to the priority
it is understood in each one, that is, in the entrepreneurship project it is fundamental
because it impacts the purchase of the main material resources, but in other projects,
it is necessary, but not a priority as it can be solved by crowdfunding.
Access to finance is a key factor in ensuring the continued growth of social projects
as well as social enterprises, and one of the main challenges facing them, as well as
HEI initiatives, is the lack of adequate funding. External funding from foundations,
private companies, and governments is mostly short-term grants, but a project or
social enterprise to continue needs medium to long-term financing.
Concerning social capital evaluation, the predominant structural dimension is
formed vertical relations, where there was contact with the assisted, and in only one
project that did not have contact with the supported, the ties were predominantly
horizontal. The relational dimension, on the other hand, predominates bonds of trust
between volunteers, social identity among the assisted, and power and norms between
teachers and students. The results show that where there are vertical bonds, norms
predominate, and where there are horizontal bonds, trust or social identity prevails.
The third cognitive dimension of social capital was evidenced through common
codes and languages, in empowerment projects, and in those that dominated horizontal power ties. Those with predominant vertical ties externalized specific codes
and languages. Pieces of evidence of the leader’s role as a translator of a particular
communication to make it common to groups were also observed, i.e., the leader
permeates the boundaries between groups and understands the specific codes of
other teams.
Future research can be suggested as the identification of the types of commitment that impact the volunteers’ behavior on entrepreneurship or social innovation
projects. It is also suggested to replicate the present study strategy to corroborate the
findings in other projects or contexts, encouraging studies related to social innovation
through university-society integration.
This study shows that the contribution of the educational institution, to the community where the projects are inserted, concerns the promotion of research and development, as well as the sharing of scientific knowledge to solve local and regional
problems, which happened in the four projects. It was also found that there was social
value generation in all projects by applying the skills of those involved for the benefit
of a community or group of people to understand the best solution to the need of the
moment, whose idea was co-created in the projects.
The results show that the project or social entrepreneurship needs leadership and
commitment from those involved to have a better chance of success. Networking
impacts on the agility to solve problems and needs to structure and conduct the
project, as well as, to solve minor adjustments during the execution. Financial
resources, on the other hand, influence the continuity of the project, aligned with
the leadership and commitment. The alignment of needs impacts the behavior of
users, as identification with the action, as well as their permanence at all stages.
491
action. Networking permeates the project from start to finish, be it in decision making
as well as choosing partners.
The financial resources factor fluctuates in each project according to the priority
it is understood in each one, that is, in the entrepreneurship project it is fundamental
because it impacts the purchase of the main material resources, but in other projects,
it is necessary, but not a priority as it can be solved by crowdfunding.
Access to finance is a key factor in ensuring the continued growth of social projects
as well as social enterprises, and one of the main challenges facing them, as well as
HEI initiatives, is the lack of adequate funding. External funding from foundations,
private companies, and governments is mostly short-term grants, but a project or
social enterprise to continue needs medium to long-term financing.
Concerning social capital evaluation, the predominant structural dimension is
formed vertical relations, where there was contact with the assisted, and in only one
project that did not have contact with the supported, the ties were predominantly
horizontal. The relational dimension, on the other hand, predominates bonds of trust
between volunteers, social identity among the assisted, and power and norms between
teachers and students. The results show that where there are vertical bonds, norms
predominate, and where there are horizontal bonds, trust or social identity prevails.
The third cognitive dimension of social capital was evidenced through common
codes and languages, in empowerment projects, and in those that dominated horizontal power ties. Those with predominant vertical ties externalized specific codes
and languages. Pieces of evidence of the leader’s role as a translator of a particular
communication to make it common to groups were also observed, i.e., the leader
permeates the boundaries between groups and understands the specific codes of
other teams.
Future research can be suggested as the identification of the types of commitment that impact the volunteers’ behavior on entrepreneurship or social innovation
projects. It is also suggested to replicate the present study strategy to corroborate the
findings in other projects or contexts, encouraging studies related to social innovation
through university-society integration.
This study shows that the contribution of the educational institution, to the community where the projects are inserted, concerns the promotion of research and development, as well as the sharing of scientific knowledge to solve local and regional
problems, which happened in the four projects. It was also found that there was social
value generation in all projects by applying the skills of those involved for the benefit
of a community or group of people to understand the best solution to the need of the
moment, whose idea was co-created in the projects.
The results show that the project or social entrepreneurship needs leadership and
commitment from those involved to have a better chance of success. Networking
impacts on the agility to solve problems and needs to structure and conduct the
project, as well as, to solve minor adjustments during the execution. Financial
resources, on the other hand, influence the continuity of the project, aligned with
the leadership and commitment. The alignment of needs impacts the behavior of
users, as identification with the action, as well as their permanence at all stages.