Towards Physical and Mental Well-Being in a Disrupted World via Entrepreneurial Action Underpinned by Responsible Digital Innovation: A Research Approach

This chapter outlines the unique ‘multisociation’ of concepts and approaches in digital workplace research proposed by an international consortium awarded 1.5 million euros by the EU Commission’s ‘Horizon Europe’ programme. The ‘Global Entrepreneurial Talent Management 4’ (GETM4) research and innovation staff exchange project started in 2023 and includes eighteen universities and industry bodies in nine countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. The research is designed around four dimensions: transnational, transectorial, transgenerational and transdisciplinary, involving researchers and practitioners in business and management, law, information systems, computer science, political science, education, sociology, psychology, economics and design. The objectives encompass an exploration of how the entrepreneurial talent of individuals can be used to tackle the ‘wicked problems’ and exploit the opportunities caused by disruption and rapid change of all kinds, focussing on physical and mental health in the digital workplace. How can this talent be developed and supported by HEIs and how will the wider community contribute and benefit? The aim is to contribute to better health, well-being, happiness and sustainable development of societies. The research is underpinned by our concepts of design-led ‘respectful innovation’ (concern for the process as well as the outcomes) and ‘respectful translation’ (equitable exchange of knowledge between the Global South and Global North). Working in four stakeholder groups (individuals, HEIs, industry and community), the research combines disruption, entrepreneurship, digital innovation and health in the digital workplace to form a range of objectives and deliverables. This chapter explains the approach and suggests some of the practical implications in a series of illustrative ‘vignettes’ from around the world.