Table 1 Catalyst WIL synergy loop:... | Emerald Publishing

Table 1

Catalyst WIL synergy loop: stage-by-stage summary

Stage	Name	Description	Theoretical basis	Key outputs
Stage 1	Strategic Visioning	Educators define pedagogical objectives and institutional boundaries of the laboratory	Abstract Conceptualisation (Kolb, 1984)	Pedagogical architecture; curriculum alignment
Stage 2	Industry Co-creation	External partners co-design authentic operational challenges; provide products/services and mentorship	Community of Practice; Social Constructivism (Wenger, 1998)	Industry partnership; authentic market data
Stage 3	Operational Praxis	Students assume full managerial control of the enterprise lifecycle under real financial accountability	Active Experimentation and Concrete Experience (Kolb, 1984)	Student agency; legitimate peripheral participation
Stage 4	Reflexive Evaluation	Deep qualitative reflection on professional development through journals, focus groups, and peer assessment	Reflective Observation (Kolb, 1984)	Professional identity formation; critical thinking
Stage 5	Iterative Evolution	Data-driven refinement of the pedagogical model for the next cycle using action research findings	Action Research Spiral (Kemmis et al., 2014)	Institutional sustainability; continuous improvement

Stage	Name	Description	Theoretical basis	Key outputs
Stage 1	Strategic Visioning	Educators define pedagogical objectives and institutional boundaries of the laboratory	Abstract Conceptualisation (Kolb, 1984)	Pedagogical architecture; curriculum alignment
Stage 2	Industry Co-creation	External partners co-design authentic operational challenges; provide products/services and mentorship	Community of Practice; Social Constructivism (Wenger, 1998)	Industry partnership; authentic market data
Stage 3	Operational Praxis	Students assume full managerial control of the enterprise lifecycle under real financial accountability	Active Experimentation and Concrete Experience (Kolb, 1984)	Student agency; legitimate peripheral participation
Stage 4	Reflexive Evaluation	Deep qualitative reflection on professional development through journals, focus groups, and peer assessment	Reflective Observation (Kolb, 1984)	Professional identity formation; critical thinking
Stage 5	Iterative Evolution	Data-driven refinement of the pedagogical model for the next cycle using action research findings	Action Research Spiral (Kemmis et al., 2014)	Institutional sustainability; continuous improvement