Cruickshank, L., Mather, A., Evans, M., 2010.

Applied imagination - Designing innovative knowledge transfer approaches

This paper describes a new approach to the creation of innovative knowledge transfer (KT) activities. This is achieved through the close collaboration of three business schools with a strong record of excellence in KT research and application (Lancaster University, Manchester University and Liverpool University) together with one of the UKs leading centers for design research (ImaginationLancaster, Lancaster University). Operating under the name of IDEAS (Innovation Design Entrepreneurship and Science) this collaboration is active in a wide range of innovation and KT activities. Here we describe how we have applied creative thinking research to the creation (design) of new KT activities and processes. This is achieved through the presentation of a conceptual model; two cases studies of the application of this model and a discussion of future projects and applications. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.