What Happened Next? A Follow-Up Study of the Long-Term Relevance and Impact of a Collaborative Research Project

Abstract

Focusing on the impact of management research has increasingly triggered reflections on collaborative modalities that may generate more engaged and impactful research. Continuing this debate, this chapter aims to contribute to foundational knowledge in the realm of collaborative research. The social nature of the collaborative relationship and process, as well as criteria for impact and the role of key actors, appear to enhance the generation of relevant results, determining impactful courses of action that develop even in the long term. This chapter draws on follow-up interviews on the long-term relevance and impact of an earlier collaborative research project, illustrating the relevance of actionable knowledge and its long-term impact in an organisation. In this context, the discussion emphasises the social nature of the collaboration, while the implications focus on relationships between collaborative research and the development of soft skills and entrepreneurial human capital.