Institutional Redesign and Dynamics of Collaborative Ties in the Educational Ecosystem

Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice. 2024. Vol. 24. No. 1. P. 200–211.

Koroleva D., Tomasova D.

As the landscape of education evolves, there is a growing need to understand and adapt to the changing dynamics of partnerships and collaborations within the educational sector. While previous studies have predominantly focused on spiral models, social networks, and platform models, little attention has been given to the emerging new institutional design in education. Through an extensive analysis of open sources, this research identifies the roles played by both conventional and non-conventional actors in shaping the educational landscape and their contributions to community development.

The study reveals the evolving roles of universities, highlighting their active engagement in fostering entrepreneurship, creating vibrant communities, and supporting lifelong learning. As a result of our study, we propose a mapped scheme illustrating the relationships between the university and other actors within the educational space and illustrating the university’s potential to gain ecosystem leadership.

In summary, by capitalizing on the identified opportunities, both parties (universities and non-conventional actors) can foster a thriving ecosystem, driving community development, lifelong learning, and local entrepreneurship.

Keywords: higher education, ecosystem approach, educational ecosystem, institutional redesign