Evaluating the Role of the Sunshine Coast University (USC) in the Regional Economy

The research findings discussed in this paper present ideas from the second stage of a project to evaluate the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in regional economies. Using data developed through a learning region framework, the research schematically represents HEI linkages to the region. Possible linkage scenarios for each of six dimensions associated with embeddedness are presented. The findings suggest that this qualitative approach moves us closer to better capturing the complexity and role of HEI in regional development.