Knowledge creation through the development of models based on collaboration between research and practice, has for a long time been an important issue for researchers as well as practitioners within different fields of society. In the social sciences there is also a long tradition of criticism of traditional research models, and a corresponding interest in different models of action research and collaborative research (e.g. Argyris, 1980; Clark, 1976; Nielsen & Svensson, 2006; Reason & Bradbury, 2001). However, from the perspective of mainstream social scince research, different forms of collaborative research, including interactive research, are characterized by a number of difficulties and alleged flaws, and their scientific value is still a matter of debate. Considering some of this criticism, it must be asked whether it is at all possible to carry out collaborative research in a way that is productive both from a practical and from a scientific perspective? In this paper, a notion of interactive research will be introduced which position itself in contrast to the traditional academic research on the one hand and action research on the other hand (Svensson, Ellström & Brulin, 2007). The empirical basis for the discussion will be experiences from organizing interactive research in relation to the work at the newly established HELIX Reserch & Innovation Centre at Linkoping University, Sweden. An emerging partnership approach to interactive research is presented and discussed. This approach is based on a university - industry partnership comprising 19 partners representing industrial firms, public sector organizations, and unions. This partnership approach is related to other conceptions of university - industry collaboration (Etzkowitz, 1998; Gibbons et al, 1994). Through a presentation and analysis of the development of this approach, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to our understanding of interactive research, how to organize such research efforts, and some of the trade-offs that may be involved. In addition, the ideas and arguments presented are also attempts to deal with some of the classical criticisms against collaborative research.

A model of interactive research between university and industry is presented and discussed. This model is viewed, not as fixed, but rather as an emerging model that need to be continually modified and improved. A number of arguments pro et contra interactive research will be explored on the basis of theoretical and empirical arguments.