From the Preface:

In 2018, Jönköping University (JU) decided to initiate an external assessment of research and co-production (Assessment of Research and Coproduction 2018 – ARC18). Co-production is in this context defined as production of research together with stakeholders; a process that generates high quality knowledge, pursues the research frontier and results in innovative and useful activities in, and for, industry and the public sector. For JU, it is the first time an assessment of research and co-production has taken place; the overall aim of ARC18 being to further strengthen Jönköping University’s insights on how to continue to support the positive development of the university. More specifically, ARC18 evaluates the criterion for quality research within JU, and provides a means to strengthen its structure for our scientific activities in offering reliable background material for strategic decisions.

To ensure different perspectives, disciplines and cross-boundary learning, four research environments at JU were selected: Lifelong Learning, SPARK, IMPROVE and the Centre for Family Enterprise and Ownership (CeFEO). Each research environment worked diligently to scrutinize and address all the questions and areas of evaluation, and the external experts did extensive work in analyzing, interviewing and synthesizing results. The outcomes have been significantly helpful for JU’s continuing work in developing and profiling research at JU. Besides giving examples of strength and high-quality international research, the assessment identified areas with varying potential; highlighting internal functions that could provide additional support and delineating favourable examples of linking research and innovation.