Stockholm Univ, Dept Human Geog, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden..
InnoTep, Nijmegen, Netherlands.;InnoTep, Tilburg, Netherlands.;InnoTep, Enschede, Netherlands..
Univ Gothenburg, Dept Econ & Soc, Human Geog Unit, Gothenburg, Sweden..
Regional Studies. Innovative firms often engage in knowledge interactions across regional boundaries, which is difficult to account for by territorial innovation models. The territorial knowledge dynamics perspective directs attention to the ways in which firms and other actors combine regional and extra-regional relations. It deals with the spatial aspects of innovation, emphasizing constantly evolving knowledge networks that are not confined to regional boundaries, which implies a new view on regional knowledge anchoring. The paper presents a case of innovation in the automotive sector in the Vastra Gotaland region of Sweden to show how a spatial pattern of knowledge interactions develops over time.
Grundel, I. & Dahlström, M. (2015). A Quadruple Helix Approach to Regional Innovation Systems for a Transformation to a Forestry Based Bio Economy?. In: : . Paper presented at Regional Studies Association Winter Conference, Great Transformations: Recasting Regional Policy 19th – 20th of November 2015, London. Track: Smart cities, smart regions?.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Quadruple Helix Approach to Regional Innovation Systems for a Transformation to a Forestry Based Bio Economy?
Karlstad University, Faculty of Social and Life Sciences. Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication.
Climate change and environmental problems are becoming more complex, uncertain and multi-scalar, affecting a variety of actors and agencies. Therefore calling for a variety of knowledge’s and values in decision making processes. New forms of government and governance are being implemented and in the same time public participation in decision making processes is pointed out as a democratic right by as well environmentalist and pressure groups as in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 1998 (Reed, 2008). Further collaboration between more actors than in earlier innovation systems is pointed out as important in as well innovation policys concerning smart specialization strategies as well as in the development of a European bio economy. In the latter context the European 2012 Bio Economy Communication Strategy lifts the importance of engaging society in the transition, thereby creating a link between society and policy makers in decision making processes. Thereby, this article mainly takes its departure in the broadening field of literature around regional innovation systems and the concepts of quadruple and quintuple helix in a forestry bio economy in Sweden. More specifically it aims to examine the preconditions of a possible transition into a forestry based bio economy by the move from a triple helix to a quadruple helix system in the region of Värmland in Sweden. Which actors are involved in the current innovation system and how is environment included in the transition?
One point of departure is where the European Commission in 2012 established a strategy for the development of a European bio economy; Innovating for sustainable growth: A bio economy for Europe, aiming to transform the European economy into becoming more sustainable by the: production of renewable biological resources and the conversion of these resources and waste streams into value added products, such as food, feed, bio-based products and bioenergy (The European Commission, 2012:3). The European Union thereby sees the bio economy as one possible way of transforming society into becoming fossil free, creating a more sustainable European economy. Further the European Commission’s imposition on European regions to develop smart specialization strategies so called RIS3 – Research and innovation smart specialization strategies (Aranguren & Wilson 2013), have led to an extension of earlier regional innovation systems. Regions around Europe now develop smart specialization strategies to draw on their own unique resources to withhold funds from the European structural funds (Aranguren & Wilson 2013; Carayannis & Rakhmatullin 2014).
Regional Innovation Systems, Transformation, Bioeconomy, Quadruple Helix.
Regional Studies Association Winter Conference, Great Transformations: Recasting Regional Policy 19th – 20th of November 2015, London. Track: Smart cities, smart regions?
Dahlström, M. & Nahnfeldt, C. (2015). Realising the bio economy: Developing multi- and transdisciplinary knowledge dynamics. In: : . Paper presented at Regional Studies Association conference in Piacenza, Italy, 25-27 May 2015.
Dahlström, M. (2014). Knowledge dynamics and networks for ‘greening the economy’: the case of Paper Province 2.0. In: : . Paper presented at IGU Conference Changes, Challenges and Responsibility, Kraków, Poland, 18-22 August 2014.
Dahlström, M. (2014). Knowledge dynamics, networks and policy interactions: the case of Paper Province 2.0. In: : . Paper presented at RSA European Conference Diverse Regions: Building Resilient Communities and Territories, Izmir, Turkey, 15-18 June 2014.
Dahlström, M. (2013). Knowledge dynamics and green growth: Climate change adaptation needs as innovation drivers. In: : . Paper presented at Regional Studies Association European Conference 'Shape and be Shaped: The Future Dynamics of Regional Development', Tampere, Finland, 5-8 May 2013.
How can Europe deliver a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth? The tall order of green growth forms the EU’s overarching strategy for economic development, Europe 2020, for the 21st Century. (EC, 2010) But what is green growth? How can it be achieved? How can the dual great global challenges of climate change and economic development (OECD, 2011) be addressed at the same time? Taking on this challenge calls for innovative, multi- and transdisciplinary approaches to research, and development of new concepts and methods are needed. The research should involve different actors to safe guard relevance for policy and practice in addition to development of new knowledge. (Carillo-Hermosilla et al. 2009, 2010) This paper reports from a budding project that builds on existing research and expertise within the research team in two broad fields; climate change adaptation and knowledge dynamics and innovation. By further development and interconnection of these fields, new knowledge of relevance to the worlds of science, policy and practice will be produced.
The research puts the interconnections between climate change adaptation and green growth at the core of the project. This is done through three linked work packages: 1) climate change adaptation and scenarios that identify needs for such adaptations, 2) green growth, particularly in relation to knowledge dynamics and (eco)-innovation processes, and 3) multi- and transdisciplinary research methods, which are the fundamental approach for the entire project. The overall research question is: How can climate change adaptation needs act as innovation drivers and contribute to green growth?
The research follows a multi- and transdisciplinary approach, combining different methodologies of scenario development and living lab processes. The LakeVänern region is the empirical focus and serves as living lab environment. The focus for the scenarios will be climate change effects on water. The scenarios will produce qualitative and quantitative information on possible climate change effects on water-related issues e.g. floods, fishing or tourism. Scenario techniques are used to integrate narrative information (storylines) provided by a wide range of stakeholders in the region. The scenarios provide input about how climate change adaptation and green growth in living lab-inspired processes interact, exploring (eco)-innovation opportunities across a wide range of actors in the region. Against this background potential innovation for green growth for the LakeVänern region will be identified.
One aim with the project is to develop living-lab-inspired methods on knowledge dynamics in relation to issues of green growth, (eco-) innovation and sustainable development in the Lake Vänern region. A living lab is a user-centred research concept - often operating within a territorial context (e.g. city, agglomeration or region), systematically integrating both research and innovation processes simultaneously. (Eriksson et al., 2005, Schumacher & Feurstein, 2006, Marsh, 2008) Budweg et al., 2011).The living lab approach is being used world-wide, for example in a European network of living labs (www.openlivinglabs.eu) and by the Swedish Government Agency for Innovation Systems (www.vinnova.se).
The paper explores knowledge dynamics and green growth with an empirical focus on the Lake Vänern Region in western Sweden. Lake Vänern is the largest lake within the EU and with its surrounding area provides a multifaceted region where many of the green economy challenges and opportunities are present. The lake has a unique fauna and flora and is the fresh water source for the 300 000 inhabitants in the region. It is also Sweden’s largest hydroelectric power dam and is used for transportation, commercial fishing and recreational purposes for the local population as well as for the tourism industry. With regards to local planning, the lake provides an attractive setting for waterside developments. Lake Vänern administratively affects thirteen local, two regional and two national authorities, in addition to regulations at EU levels that are affecting the lake and its surroundings. Through the many competing demands on the resource of Lake Vänern, the region provides a valuable case to study knowledge dynamics in a green economy.