A Measurement Framework for the Fourth Mission of Universities

Bibliographic Data

ID22045985
AuthorsZsuzsanna Pálffy (0000-0002-7042-5923, Széchenyi István University), Zoltán Horváth (0000-0001-9213-2681, Eötvös Loránd University), Lívia Ablonczy-Mihályka (0000-0002-9403-1478, Széchenyi István University)
Year2026
Volume16
Issue5
Pages758
Publication date2026-05-11
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci16050758
OpenAlexW7162108677
LanguageEN
References cited29

Universities are increasingly expected to contribute to societal and environmental challenges, yet the concept of the fourth mission remains fragmented and weakly operationalized in the literature. This study aims to develop a measurement framework for the fourth mission of universities. The research adopts a theory-driven qualitative design based on a systematic literature review, synthesizing contributions on community engagement, social innovation, sustainability and institutional embeddedness. Building on this synthesis, the study develops a three-level conceptual model that integrates an institutional framework, core fourth mission processes and transformative impact domains. The core processes are structured around community engagement, co-creation and social innovation, and knowledge diffusion and local application, while the model explicitly links these processes to societal challenges and environmental sustainability outcomes. Furthermore, the model is operationalized through a structured indicator system applicable in document-based analysis, supported by a four-point scoring scale capturing the depth of institutionalization. An illustrative pilot test was also conducted using the example of one university faculty. The study contributes by clarifying the boundaries of the fourth mission and offering an operational framework that shifts attention from output-based measurement to universities’ transformative societal roles

Conceptual framework · Diffusion of innovations · Higher education · Operationalization · Qualitative research · Sustainability · Transformative learning · Higher Education Governance and Development · Sustainability in Higher Education · University-Industry-Government Innovation Models

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