University in downtown: developing a new scale to assess the impact of university activities on the community

Universities have traditionally been viewed as drivers of economic growth through activities such as technology transfer, patents, spin-offs, research contracts, and consulting. However, their impact on the community has expanded to include creating social and cultural values and enhancing the quality of life. As universities' roles evolve, updating the metrics and indicators used to assess their impact is crucial. Indeed, developing relevant and appropriate indicators to assess the complex relationships between universities and their communities is a significant challenge that remains largely underexplored. Existing indicators often focus heavily on technology transfer and innovation, primarily reflecting the internal perspectives of universities while neglecting the external viewpoints of the local community. This study introduces a new method that emphasises the host community’s perception of the impact of university activities on its daily life, resulting in the development of a scale called IMP-UNI. The scale underwent validation through a multi-step process involving 1777 participants across two countries. The IMP-UNI scale helps university managers and policymakers assess the impact of a university’s presence in an urban area on the local community. It highlights the specific factors that local stakeholders deem most important for the socio-economic and cultural well-being of the community. The university may be viewed as disconnected from the community without acknowledging these factors.