Constructing new organizational realities: The role of research

The emergence of network society implies that all actors face new demands, research being no exception. In processes of interactive learning, together with other actors, research can no longer claim exclusive domains. Instead, it has to become a general innovation partner. Innovation partner is, however, not only an intellectual position. It refers, first and foremost, to specific forms of work in specific but variable contexts. The challenges are not only epistemological, but organizational. This article explores, on the basis of experience from workplace development programmes in Norway, the nature of some of these challenges, and the epistemological-organizational responses that need to be worked out to meet them.