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ABC4E, one of the eight Socioeconomic studies under ATTRACT phase 2, investigates whether psychological flexibility-based training can enhance scientists’ open innovation attitudes and knowledge exchange behaviours. This initiative focuses on overcoming barriers to interdisciplinary, inter-functional, and inter-organizational collaboration through behavioural training grounded in Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). It seeks to develop psychological flexibility (PF), a key entrepreneurial skill, to improve open innovation competencies and facilitate the transfer of research outcomes to broader societal contexts.
The study is set within the framework of open innovation, where scientists’ openness varies in terms of their willingness to evaluate external knowledge and share internal findings. These attitudes play a crucial role in shaping the success of innovation-driven programs. Negative attitudes, such as the “Not Invented Here” and “Not Sold Here” syndromes, hinder knowledge absorption and sharing behaviours, respectively. While existing literature identifies constructs like perspective-taking as safeguards to these attitudes, practical tools for behaviour modification remain underexplored. This gap is addressed by connecting behavioural psychology principles to psychological flexibility through ACT.
ACT, applied in clinical, work, and high-performance contexts, focuses on enhancing behaviours linked to PF. The ABC4E project adapts this approach to the needs of European Research and Innovation (ERI) contexts. It aims to provide scientists with tools to overcome individual barriers to collaboration while fostering entrepreneurial skills for thriving in open innovation environments. The study incorporates a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-training evaluations of PF and collaboration behaviours.
“Researchers and professors who experienced the training suggested extending it to their whole research group. The training could be provided by the Knowledge Transfer Offices (KTO) to help develop qualities that facilitate researchers to collaborate across disciplinary and organisational boundaries”, explains Clio Dosi, Assistant Professor at the University of Bologna and Principal Investigator of ABC4E.
The ABC4E research group iteratively developed and tested the training, refining its activities and characteristics to maximize its effectiveness. Preliminary results show significant improvements in psychological flexibility, which directly enhances collaborative behaviours. These advancements are evident in increased participation in interdisciplinary and industry-focused events as well as knowledge transfer initiatives.
Looking ahead, the project plans to expand its scope by systematically assessing psychological flexibility and collaboration behaviours in larger research settings. It will also replicate and scale the training syllabus, integrating it into localized training programs facilitated by KTO and ACT coaches. By empowering trainers within the ATTRACT consortium, the initiative aims to foster widespread adoption and long-term impact.
Here you can watch a video of the ABC4E project:
For additional information about the program, visit here.
