Abstract

Published by Greenleaf Publishing in July 2014, this chapter explores the concept of the "collaboratory" as a co-creative stakeholder engagement process for addressing complex problems in management education. Written by John North and Anders Aspling of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI), the text examines how the 50+20 Agenda defines collaboratories as inclusive learning environments where action learning and action research converge to enable whole-person, systemic problem-solving.

The chapter traces the evolution of the collaboratory concept through GRLI's work since 2004 and highlights two ongoing initiatives: stakeholder engagement around the Western Cape wine region in South Africa and an innovation cohort of management educators implementing 50+20 principles. The authors distinguish collaboratories from traditional laboratories by emphasizing the integration of scientific inquiry with real-world stakeholder involvement, transdisciplinary approaches, and diverse forms of knowledge including narrative and lived experience.

The chapter presents a three-stage model for institutional engagement with collaboratories, ranging from one-off collaborative meetings to full organizational transformation. It positions the GRLI itself as a prototype collaboratory that has been modeling collaborative practices since its inception, contributing essential insights for developing future collaborative approaches to responsible leadership development.