Community Engagement and Social Innovation Through Knowledge Transfer: Micro Evidence from Setiu Fishermen in Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

The university’s involvement with the community cultivates the process of knowledge transfer. This knowledge transfer can be translated through social innovation, knowledge innovation, and technological innovation. Social innovation in the context of knowledge transfer can provide an appropriate platform for the exchange of creative and innovative ideas, research findings, experiences, and skills between university, industry, and society. The university’s involvement with the Setiu fishing community in collaboration with the Setiu Area Fishermen Association in Kampung Rhu Sepuluh, Setiu, has successfully changed the quality of life of Setiu fishermen through social innovation, where bonding, bridging, and linkages were introduced to the community. A study was conducted on the Setiu fishing community found that ‘community engagement’ and togetherness between the university and the community had brought a significant impact on the community’s lifestyle and living standard. The element of ‘togetherness’ throughout the project period was emphasised to ensure the participants to be independent in generating affordable income, improving their quality of life, and moving out of poverty. Supportive relationships and networking linkages from various stakeholders are needed to ensure their survival at a commendable level. This knowledge transfer project’s implications can be elaborated into four main components, namely new ideas, concepts, activities, services, and applications; meet social goals; improvement of results and output; and realising new collaborations with social values. In this study, an effective knowledge transfer of entrepreneurial skills was conducted, and the community had participated in sales competition during month of Ramadhan where community had increased of sales between 4 and 240%. In conclusion, a well-structured knowledge transfer of entrepreneurship had transformed community to be more resilient and competitive through bonding, bridging, and linkages of university-community-government partnership.