Welcome to The Collaborative
Solving Really Big Challenges...together.
Are you passionate about solving complex business and industrial challenges? Do you believe in the transformative power of collaboration and applied research? Then you've arrived at the right place!
At The Collaborative, we are a collective of professional practitioners united by a shared purpose: Solving Really Big Challenges...together.
What makes us Unique?
1. Collaborative Innovation Network:
We aren't just a community; we're a thriving ecosystem of collaborative innovation and problem-solving expertise. Our network is designed to encourage cross-industry collaboration, fostering an environment where creativity meets functionality. Together, we build, refine, and deploy novel solutions to real-world problems. Find out more about Collaborative Innovation Networks.
2. Applied Research Excellence:
We all value critical thinking and highly applied research that translates into actionable insights and tangible results. Our diverse team of practitioners from around the world, engages in multidisciplinary research to ensure that the theoretical meets the practical, and innovations are ready for real-world application.
3. One Thing in Common:
We may all be from different backgrounds, professions and cultures, but we have one thing in common, we are all doing (or have completed) a Professional Doctorate program, otherwise known as a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), like the one at Otago University in New Zealand.
4. Problem-Solving Culture:
Challenges fuel us. We are passionate about dissecting complex problems and finding unique solutions. By leveraging the collective intelligence of our global network, we bring fresh perspectives and unparalleled expertise to tackle the most pressing challenges in both the private and public sectors.
5. Continuous Learning & Growth:
We believe that growth and learning are continuous journeys. Our network offers workshops, webinars, and opportunities to work on live projects. Join us and be part of a community that encourages constant development and innovation.
6. Supporting Sustainability:
We actively support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by engaging in problem-solving that transcends traditional boundaries, where the network contributes to economic growth, healthcare improvement, sustainable energy solutions, and more.
7. Global Reach with Local Impact:
Our network spans private/public sectors, industries and countries, but our focus remains on creating localized solutions that have a global impact. We believe in scalable innovation that resonates with diverse markets and communities.
Join Us in Shaping the Future!
Whether you're an experienced practitioner, or an enthusiastic innovator, we invite you to be part of our network. Connect with like-minded professionals, contribute to groundbreaking projects, and be at the forefront of industry transformation.
To join, you will need be 'in practice' (see below), have sponsorship from one of our existing Full Members, are able to provide proof of your Professional Doctorate (DBA) status from the University, and have read and agree to our Collaborative Charter.
Not a practitioner and doing a DBA?
We are working on associate membership status for those in full time academic positions, or post-graduates studying at the MBA level. Sign Up for our general newsletter to receive updates on the Associate Member program.
Please note:
In Practice:
Good things come from focus, and ours is on the Art-of-Practice where theoretical meets the practical, and innovations are ready for real-world application.
In this regard, all our Full Members are "in practice" meaning they derive more then 50% of their personal income from their own business, employment in non-academic organizations, or providing professional services to clients in either the public or private arenas.
Of course, we welcome our colleges from the academic world as Associate members, who we work with collaboratively via our virtual enterprise projects and programs.
Independence:
The Collaborative is an independent network of practitioners and while closely aligned to Otago University and its Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program, we are not employed by the University or receive funding from Otago University.
Intellectual Property:
Any Intellectual Property generated by our members via their individual research remains with them, and any Intellectual Property generated in a collaborative project is dealt with on a case-by-case basis via the project charter.
Our History:
The Collaborative was originally established as an incorporated society called The Future Cities Institute on the 3rd day of July 2009 under the New Zealand Incorporated Societies Act 1908. To better serve our mission to support collaborative innovation networking and projects, we changed our name in early 2018 to The Collaborative and moved from an incorporated society model to a non-profit limited liability company under New Zealand Company Law.
Not-for-Profit:
At the New Zealand Companies office, we have special provisions in our constitution that makes it clear that profit maximization is to be balanced by Impact and Mission objectives and prohibits any of the capital or income being paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend for the private pecuniary profit of any individual member or third-party.