The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has issued an invitation for tenders for an evaluation of the business impact of social science: a study of knowledge transfer partnerships in the private sector.

The small scale study will evaluate the contributions that social science has made to business through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme, and will provide examples of private sector impact and specific benefits that social science can offer to business.

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme is UK-wide and is managed by the Technology Strategy Board and supported by 12 other funding organisations including the ESRC.

The aims of the evaluation are as follows:

• Assess the range and nature of social science impacts on the private sector as identified in KTP reports, and highlight examples of good practice
• Explore the extent to which Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have facilitated further private sector engagement with social science
• Identify any further collaboration and impacts that have occurred since the completion of the KTP
• Identify and analyse the determinants of the impacts identified (ie why and how impact has been generated)
• Develop an understanding of the private sector’s appreciation and need for social science
• Identify good practice and lessons for enhancing the contribution that social scientists can make to the private sector
• Inform the ESRC’s business engagement activities with a view to maximising future impacts.

Further details and a copy of the full specification are available from the UK Shared Business Services Ltd. Please contact:

• Alistair Staunton-Lambert
  Email: alistair.staunton-lambert@ssc.rcuk.ac.uk
  Telephone: 01793 867812 (Ref P2130059).

The deadline for submission of bids is 11.00 on 10 July 2013.