Post on 04-Dec-2021
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Metropolitan Impact: Using the Research Center for Engagement
iLabs, Center for Innovation Research
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Background on iLabs
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University of Michigan-Dearborn Center
for Innovation Research
• Creating an infrastructure for community engagement by connecting regional partners, students, and faculty to address community challenges . . .
• Three product lines:
Internal Studies
(University-Level)
• Student Exit Surveys
• Post-Graduate Expectations Survey
Sponsored Research (External/Regional
partners)
• Ford Needs Analysis
• Capuchin Soup Kitchen Project
Program Initiatives (Annual & Regional)
• eCities
• Michigan Technology Climate Survey
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eCities – Overview
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http://youtu.be/goChsIyhXUU
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eCities – Impact
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• Help Michigan communities encourage entrepreneurs
and small businesses
• First major study by a business school to focus on local-
level economic development
• Benchmarking study to support local governments:
• Quantitative & qualitative research
• Longitudinal performance metrics
• Customized data analysis through benchmarking reports
• In 2012,114 communities from 40 counties:
• Home to 34% of Michigan’s residents
• Account for 50% of Michigan’s real commercial property
• Home to over 125,000 entrepreneurs & over $3 billion in income
• Over $1.5 billion in commercial construction
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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Overview
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• Develop long-range project that engages University, students, and non-profit
organizations (NPOs)
• Project was broken down into two stages
• Developed 70 question survey of NPOs in Michigan; had 50 responses
• The key findings of the research were that NPOs want support with:
1. Funding support
2. Operational and performance measurement
3. Reputation management and marketing tools
• Organized students to “consult” with NPOs and develop internal benchmarking reports along with external marketing reports
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To what extent do the following activities currently/will soon pose a
challenge for your organization in fulfilling its mission? Agree
Enhancing visibility/reputation 74%
Evaluating/assessing program outcomes/impact 68%
Creating, updating, and using databases 66%
Obtaining technology resources 62%
Recruiting/keeping volunteers 60%
Reaching potential clients/users 60%
Maintaining performance indicators 58%
Training staff/volunteers on technology 58%
When asked which areas are critical to the organization in supporting its mission: • 100% agreed Programming and Planning
• 98% agreed Operations and Governance
Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Phase I
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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Phase I
IT Toolkits & Needs Assessment of Centralized Resources/Portal
Organizational Outcome Assessment System & Business Intelligence Tools
Reputation Management & Marketing Tools
Regional tool for collaboration on outcome assessment, benchmarking, and partnerships (Long Term)
Four key goals emerged from phase I and became the premise for the next phase:
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• Students spend an average of 15-20
hours with each NPO = over 2,000
hours since June 2012
• 14 NPOs participated
• Generated full-detailed reports and
baseline reports
• Database housing all collected NPO data
• Online resources for NPOs
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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – Phase II
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• Access to UM-Dearborn resources
(students, faculty, and database)
• Detailed overview report of annual
performance
• This level of analysis enables NPO’s to track
project/program progress and identify
opportunities for improvement
• Hands-on involvement in the creation of
these reports results in a personalized
report based on the NPO’s mission,
capacity, and expectations
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Ford Non-Profit Analysis – NPO Benefits
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Capuchin Soup Kitchen Project • Marketing and operational plan
Recovery Park Project • Business plan for Detroit urban farm/neighborhood stabilization
Jewish/Chaldean News Project • Measuring collaboration in two entrepreneurial communities
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Studies of Mention
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Panel Discussion
Panel Members:
Joy Beatty, Associate Professor at UM-Dearborn College of Business
Tim Davis, iLabs Director
Nicole Mangis, iLabs Assistant Director
Ife Oyedele, iLabs Student Researcher
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