Research Profile and Topics
The Institute for Developmental and Strategic Analysis (IRSA) is a private, non-profit research institution, primarily centered on social sciences and humanities and their application to the spheres of business, industry, and government. In addition to purely theoretical research (inter - and trans-disciplinary based but with strong sociological background) – such as system theory, institutional economics and modernisation theory – the IRSA is also increasingly engaged in empirical and applied, policy-oriented research, expertise (in the sense of “Mode 2 production of knowledge”) and consultation commissioned by governmental bodies and civil society organisations.
IRSA has developed a specific thematic and methodological research profile. The emphasis is on a multi-level and holistic orientation backed by the use of quantitative as well as qualitative methods and data (triangulation) including meta-analysis and case studies. Comparative, cross-national approach is one of the specific features of IRSA style of research.
Recently, there is an emphasis on empirical studying of socio-cultural factors of developmental performance, and – in this context – special interest is paid to the concept of social capital, transfer of knowledge and regional innovation systems. We are opening a new field of researching in which we are focusing on gender issues: we are analyzing the concepts of gender equality in relation to democratic processes, innovative practices and creative (artistic) content and educational institutions.
The most important international publications have been focused on the following topics: democracy and elite formation in post-socialist societies, intercultural communication dynamics, the concept of social capital and its impact on economic performance in the context of knowledge-based society and economy, sociology of knowledge and science.
Our members also have extensive experience in international and/or EU research programs and projects, including participation in various projects, among the most recent one a Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation project STEM4Youth.