| 1. |
- Asheim, Bjørn, et al.
(author)
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Introduction : Combinatorial Knowledge Bases, Regional Innovation, and Development Dynamics
- 2017
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In: Economic Geography. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0013-0095 .- 1944-8287. ; 93:5, s. 429-435
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The special issue zooms in on knowledge dynamics that drive innovation processes and new path development in different regional and sectoral contexts. This investigation rests on the differentiated knowledge base approach, which offers a clear distinction between analytical, synthetic and symbolic types of knowledge and deep insights into their idiosyncrasies. The introduction frames knowledge bases as theoretically discernible and differentiated forms of knowledge creation that are of particular relevance for innovation processes. The knowledge base approach goes beyond sector and regional approaches to innovation and focuses on micro-level dynamics of knowledge creation and knowledge combination within firms, industries and regions. This special issue offers theoretical advances and empirical insights into the causal linkages between such knowledge dynamics, innovation and new path development. It contributes to economic geography in providing an improved understanding of mechanism behind economic growth and development in various sectors and regions as well as to make better sense of the consistent heterogeneity of performance between firms within the same sectors and regions. All this underpins a broad-based innovation policy approach and an active role of policy makers in stimulating novel combinations of differentiated knowledge bases, which shows its roots in the (regional) innovation systems tradition.
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| 2. |
- Asheim, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Sistemas regionales de innovación : Pasado, presente y futuro
- 2019
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In: Revista Galega de Economia. - : Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. - 1132-2799 .- 2255-5951. ; 28:2, s. 4-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since its development in the 1990s, the Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) approach has attracted considerable attention from economic geographers, innovation scholars and policy makers. The RIS approach is well-known in scientific discourse about the uneven geography of innovation and the factors that shape the knowledge generation and innovation capacities of regions. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the emergence of the RIS approach, the current debate as well as future challenges. This paper is structured around four over arching research questions: What are the origins and theoretical foundations of this ap-proach? What has the RIS approach contributed to innovation studies and economic geography? What are the implications for innovation policy? And what are the recent lines of research and key research challenges in the future? We argue that the con-tributions of the RIS approach have been substantial. Nevertheless, the approach has often been applied in a rather static way, more as a heuristic than a coherent theory. The key challenges for current and future research, therefore, are to move towards a more theory-based, dynamic perspective on RIS, dealing with new path development and the transformation of RIS.
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| 3. |
- Asheim, Bjørn, et al.
(author)
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Smart Specialization as an Innovation-Driven Strategy for Economic Diversification : Examples From Scandinavian Regions
- 2017
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In: Advances in the Theory and Practice of Smart Specialization. - 9780128041376 - 9780128041598 ; , s. 73-97
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This chapter provides conceptual and empirical foundations for smart specialization, a policy approach of far-reaching importance in the European context. We interpret the very notion as “diversified” specialization into areas of existing or potential competitive advantage, which differentiates a region/nation from others. “Smart” relates to the identification of these areas through a process of entrepreneurial discovery, in which all actors are mobilized to be able to discover domains for securing existing and future competitiveness. Competitive advantage through smart specialization can be promoted in all types of industries but based on the industry-specific modes of innovation and knowledge bases, which is illustrated through case studies in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Depending on the preconditions, we find that variegated strategies of smart specialization are pursued, including building the absorptive capacity of DUI-based firms by increasing their research-based competence (introducing analytical knowledge), combining unrelated knowledge bases to move into new related and unrelated industries, combining related knowledge bases to move into unrelated industries, and moving into high value–added niches by introducing symbolic knowledge in traditional sectors.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Erlström, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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The geography of connectivity : a review of mobile positioning data for economic geography
- 2022
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In: Journal of Geographical Systems. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1435-5949 .- 1435-5930. ; 24:4, s. 679-707
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Connectivity between and within places is one of the cornerstones of geography. However, the data and methodologies used to capture connectivity are limited due to the difficulty in gathering and analysing detailed observations in time and space. Mobile phone data potentially offer a rich and unprecedented source of data, which is exhaustive in time and space following movements and communication activities of individuals. This approach to study the connectivity patterns of societies is still rather unexplored in economic geography. However, a substantial body of work in related fields provides methodological and theoretical foundations, which warrant an in-depth review to make it applicable in economic geography. This paper reviews and discusses the state-of-the-art in the analysis of mobile phone and positioning data, with a focus on call detail records. It identifies methodological challenges, elaborates on key findings for geography, and provides an outline for future research on the geography of connectivity.
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| 6. |
- Fil Kristensen, Iryna, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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Leadership and governance challenges in delivering place-based transformation through Smart Specialisation
- 2022
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In: Regional studies. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0034-3404 .- 1360-0591. ; 57:1, s. 196-208
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper considers the unfolding of Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) in one of Europe's innovation-leading metropolitan regions: Stockholm, Sweden. Theoretically, it contributes to debates around change agency and reflects more broadly, which implications arise for metropolitan innovation-leader regions and which are of more generic nature. It argues that actor endowments, dense networks, experience with participatory governance processes and good governance are not sufficient for a successful implementation of RIS3. It finds that transformative regional innovation policy is contingent upon the adequate empowerment of change agents rather than on general regional preconditions.
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| 7. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Advancing the treatment of human agency in the analysis of regional economic development : Illustrated with three Norwegian cases
- 2022
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In: Growth and Change. - : Wiley. - 0017-4815 .- 1468-2257. ; 53:1, s. 248-275
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human agency has become a core topic in economic geography complementing traditional, structural approaches to explain regional development. This paper contributes firstly with a discussion of the theoretical and conceptual relationships between the agency of individuals, organizations, and systems. Secondly, it proposes a novel analytical framework for studying how human agency, combined with external changes affects regional economic development, and how regional structural preconditions and external changes explain the activation of change agency. Thirdly, the relevance of the framework is examined through comparative studies of about 20 years of industrial development in three Norwegian regions. This illuminates the importance of human agency in regional transformation processes, how regional preconditions influence but not determine the activation of change agency, as well as why and how regional policy plays a role in the emergence of change agency. Yet, future research needs to investigate the context conditions, which promote or hinder the activation of change agency, to trace change in economic activities over time and link it to causal mechanisms, and to pay attention to the unintended consequences of change agency in the longer-term.
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| 8. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Agency and economic change in regions : identifying routes to new path development using qualitative comparative analysis
- 2023
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In: Regional Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0034-3404 .- 1360-0591. ; 57:8, s. 453-1468
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper investigates the role of human agency in 40 phases of regional economic development in 12 Nordic regions over 30 years. It contributes with a theoretical framework to study agency over time and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis based on a unique dataset combining over 200 interviews, with printed and online sources, and quantitative data. The paper identifies which combinations of agency types and context conditions make industrial upgrading or diversification possible, and investigates how such combinations come into being. The causal claims from this analysis are illustrated with empirical examples and discussed in relation to previous literature.
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| 9. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Bouncing forward better–micro-foundations of combinatorial innovation
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In: Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research. - 1351-1610.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article theoretically investigates the conditions that empower actors (entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs) to pursue combinatorial innovation processes, and thereby contribute to transformative activities with a high degree of novelty and complexity. We argue that the possibility for combinatorial innovation depends on agents’ time perspective and combinatorial capabilities. We elaborate why institutional incentive structures and knowledge bases condition actors’ time perspective and why network structures and firm routines condition actors’ combinatorial capabilities. We illustrate our arguments with examples and show their practical relevance for policy and innovative actors.
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| 10. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Bridging the gap : citizenship diversity and global innovation networks in small and medium size companies
- 2018
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In: European Planning Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0965-4313 .- 1469-5944. ; 26:12, s. 2279-2303
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent literature stresses the increasing importance of global innovation networks (GINs) as a mechanism to organize innovation across geographical space. This paper investigates why and to what extent citizenship diversity of the firm's employees relates to the engagement of small and medium size companies in GINs. Citizenship diversity provides knowledge about the institutional context of other countries, increased capabilities to deal with institutional differences, larger social networks to build GINs and a broader search space. Further, the paper examines how the absorptive capacity of firms mediates the relationship between citizenship diversity and GINs. The empirical study is based on a linked employee-employer dataset with 6,771 observations of innovative small and medium size firms in Sweden. It provides strong evidence that the engagement in GINs is positively related to citizenship diversity, depending, however, on the absorptive capacity of firms.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Combining Knowledge from Different Sources, Channels and Geographical Scales
- 2014
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In: European Planning Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1469-5944 .- 0965-4313. ; 22:11, s. 2305-2325
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this article is to examine conceptually and empirically how innovative firms combine knowledge (1) provided by different sources, (2) accessed at different spatial scales and (3) acquired through different channels. We add to the conceptual debate by contrasting and synthesising the perspectives offered on these issues by four key concepts, namely the local buzz and global pipelines argument, the knowledge-base approach, the notions of Science-Technology-Innovation and Doing-Using-Interacting modes of innovation as well as the regional innovation systems concept. The empirical part of the article contains an analysis of knowledge-sourcing activities employed by 181 firms belonging to the Austrian automotive supplier industry. Our findings reveal that it is, indeed, combinations of knowledge sourced from different partners located at different spatial scales and acquired through different channels that are relevant. However, it is particular combinations that dominate while others are negligible. Austrian automotive supplier firms combine knowledge provided by customers with knowledge inputs from a variety of other sources. Most of the combinations involve the European or global levels combined with the regional and/or national level. Finally, firms combine spillovers with a variety of other channels to acquire innovation-relevant knowledge.
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| 13. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Cultural diversity and employment growth : Moderating effect of the recent global financial crisis
- 2018
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In: Australian Journal of Management. - : SAGE Publications. - 0312-8962 .- 1327-2020. ; 43:4, s. 632-652
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article analyses the effect of cultural diversity on employment growth, considering the recent global financial crisis (GFC) as a moderating factor. In doing so, we developed competing hypotheses based on Blau’s theory of heterogeneity versus an alternative perspective which combines the resource-based view (RBV) with social identity theory (SIT). We empirically test such theories using a unique longitudinal dataset comprising the population of all firms in Sweden between 2003 and 2012. We find support for the latter hypothesis, that is, the relationship between cultural diversity and employment growth is inverted U-shaped, which is even more pronounced during/after the GFC. We discussed the implications of these findings for other contexts. JEL Classification: M14, M51, E24, G01
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| 14. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Does institutional diversity promote global innovation networks?
- 2016
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Recent literature stresses the increasing importance of global innovation networks as a new mechanism to organize innovation across geographical space. This paper investigates if institutional diversity, defined at the level of the firm, influences firms’ engagement in GINs. Institutional diversity provides knowledge about the institutional context of other countries, increased capabilities to deal with institutional differences, larger social networks to build GINs and a broader search space. Further, the paper examines how the absorptive capacity of firms mediates the relationship between institutional diversity and global innovation networks. The empirical study is based on a linked employee-employer dataset with 8,573 innovative firms in Sweden. It provides strong evidence that the engagement in GINs is positively related to institutional diversity and that the relation is particularly strong for global innovation networks, depending, however, on the absorptive capacity of firms.
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| 15. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Does the Timing of Integrating New Skills Affect Start-up Growth?
- 2021
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In: Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal. - : Wiley. - 1932-4391 .- 1932-443X. ; 15:4, s. 647-684
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Research SummaryGrowth often requires start‐ups to recruit new skills not present in the founding team. We analyze if the relationship between integrating new skills and growth depends on timing. Should new skills be recruited as early as possible, or can start‐ups add them as needed along the way? Using a unique panel dataset covering Sweden's population of start‐ups from 1997 to 2012, our analysis shows that (a) start‐ups' growth rate is positively correlated with integrating novel skills early in their life, while adding novel skills later is associated with lower growth and (b) corporate spin‐offs profit less from recruiting novel skills than de novo start‐ups. We mirror our results against existing theories and develop theoretical perspectives for future research.Managerial SummaryEntrepreneurs and managers of start‐ups need to develop the competences of their company as it matures. For this, they typically need to hire qualified personnel. But when is the best time to do so? In this paper, we show that the costs of integrating new skills from recruitment increase over time. We show that in order to achieve high firm growth there is a window of opportunity for successful recruitment covering the first 3–4 years after the founding of the company. Recruiting novel skills after this period is associated with reduced firm growth. Our results are thus in favor of a hiring strategy, where needed skills are recruited as early as possible.
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| 16. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Firm Performance in the Periphery: On the Relation between Firm-Internal Knowledge and Local Knowledge Spillovers
- 2015
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This paper challenges one of the fundamental propositions within economic geography; that location in knowledge regions contributes to firm performance in general and especially for knowledge intensive firms that compete on the basis of knowledge. Our analysis of Swedish micro-data on 32,535 firms from 2004-2011 provides evidence that knowledge intensive firms benefit less from local knowledge spillovers than firms with comparably low in-house knowledge. This suggests that firms with high internal competencies can compensate for a lack of local knowledge spillovers and that negative knowledge externalities may make location outside knowledge centers more beneficial for such firms.
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| 17. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Firm performance in the periphery: on the relation between firm-internal knowledge and local knowledge-spillovers
- 2017
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In: Regional Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1360-0591 .- 0034-3404. ; 51:8, s. 1219-1231
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Firm performance in the periphery: on the relation between firm-internal knowledge and local knowledge spillovers. Regional Studies. One of the most established arguments in regional studies is that knowledge dynamics shape thegeography of economic activities and, more specifically, that knowledge-intensive activities benefit from collocation due to knowledge spillovers, local buzz and access to labour. There are, however, competing arguments that knowledge-intensive firms also suffer from negative spillovers and are less dependent on local knowledge sources than often presumed. Using Swedish micro-data from 2005–11, this paper shows that firms with weak internal knowledge grow faster in knowledge-intensive regions. However, the growth difference disappears or is even reversed for knowledge-intensive firms.
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| 18. |
- Grillitsch, Markus
(author)
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Following or breaking regional development paths : on the role and capability of the innovative entrepreneur
- 2019
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In: Regional Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0034-3404 .- 1360-0591. ; 53:5, s. 681-691
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Structural change, economic diversification and new path development feature prominently in scientific and policy debates. Against the backdrop of increasing specialization in the economy, this paper reinterprets Schumpeterian innovative entrepreneurship as a fundamental process that creates new connections between distinct fields of specialization, thereby induces path-breaking innovations and structural change. It is argued that the transformation capability of innovative entrepreneurs rests essentially on their position(s) and networks within evolving innovation systems. By focusing on micro-level processes and transformation capability, the paper complements the large body of work on structural barriers. Unintended consequences, supporting institutional arrangements and policy implications are discussed.
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| 19. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Green industry development in different types of regions
- 2019
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In: European Planning Studies. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1469-5944 .- 0965-4313. ; 27:11, s. 2163-2183
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- At the regional level, the imperative of sustainable development often manifests itself in an emphasis on developing green industries. However, regions vary in their preconditions for achieving this. In this paper we link regional preconditions to various pathways for green industry development. This provides the foundation for identifying place-based policy implications for growing green industries in different types of regions, grounded in the emerging perspective in innovation studies on transformative innovation policy. The paper thereby helps to understand the pathways for greening the economy in different regional contexts and how such green pathways can be promoted through policy.
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| 20. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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How does multi-scalar institutional change affect localized learning processes? A case study of the med-tech sector in Southern Sweden
- 2016
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In: Environment & Planning A. - 0308-518X. ; 48:1, s. 154-171
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Co-location alone is not sufficient to ensure efficient and effective interaction between economic agents. Also, institutions at multiple scales shape the behaviour of organizations and provide incentives for interaction. However, institutions, as well as the impact of institutions on economic agents, are not static, but rather change over time. In this paper we investigate this dynamic process: How does institutional change at different geographical scales affect localized learning processes? Using an intensive case study of the medical technology sector in Southern Sweden, we trace in detail how institutions at the supra-national, national and regional scale have changed over the past 15 years and how these have affected the opportunities for localized learning between firms and hospitals. Our case makes three contributions. First, it provides a detailed empirical example of the interdependencies between institutions at the supra-national, national and regional scales. Second, as institutions shape the behaviour of organizations, we demonstrate that institutional change introduced at the extra-regional scale can have profound consequences for the establishment of local innovation linkages - and thereby for the opportunities for localized learning. Third, this leads us to reconsider the ambitions of regional policies that aim to enhance localized learning.
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| 21. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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How novel is Transformative Innovation Policy?
- 2020
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The focus and instruments of innovation policy have changed fundamentally over the last decades. Recently transformative innovative policy has caught the attention of scholars and policy makers, arguing that this is a new shift in the policy discourse. Even though grand challenges such as global warming and migration flows, as well as technological change such as artificial intelligence and industry 4.0 have fired the debate on transformative innovation policies in recent years, it has a long history – even going back to Schumpeter. This book chapter unfolds the historical and conceptual roots of transformative innovation policy, compares critically the different strands of literature, and discusses important questions for future research.
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| 22. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Innovation in peripheral regions: Do collaborations compensate for a lack of local knowledge spillovers?
- 2015
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In: Annals of Regional Science. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0592 .- 0570-1864. ; 54:1, s. 299-321
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is widely accepted that firms in peripheral regions benefit to a lesser extent from local knowledge spillovers than firms located in agglomerations or industrial clusters. This paper investigates the extent to which innovative firms in peripheral regions compensate for the lack of access to local knowledge spillovers by collaborating at other geographical scales. So far the literature predominantly suggests that collaborations complement rather than compensate for local knowledge spillovers. Using data on the collaboration patterns of innovative firms in Sweden, this paper provides evidence that firms with low access to local knowledge spillovers tend to collaborate more. This effect, however, depends on firm size and in-house capabilities. Our findings suggest that firms with strong in-house capabilities do indeed compensate for a lack of local knowledge spillovers with collaborations while firms with weaker in-house capabilities depend more on the regional knowledge infrastructure.
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| 23. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Innovation in peripheral regions: Do collaborations compensate for a lack of local knowledge spillovers?
- 2014
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- It is widely accepted that firms in peripheral regions benefit to a lesser extent from local knowledge spillovers than firms located in agglomerations or industrial clusters. This paper investigates the extent to which innovative firms in peripheral regions compensate for the lack of access to local knowledge spillovers by collaborating at other geographical scales. So far the literature predominantly suggests that collaborations complement rather than compensate for local knowledge spillovers. Using data on the collaboration patterns of innovative firms in Sweden, this paper provides evidence that firms with low access to local knowledge spillovers tend to collaborate more. This effect, however, depends on firm size and in-house capabilities. Our findings suggest that firms with strong in-house capabilities do indeed compensate for a lack of local knowledge spillovers with collaborations while firms with weaker in-house capabilities depend more on the regional knowledge infrastructure.
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| 24. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Innovation Policies and New Regional Growth Paths : A Place-Based System Failure Framework
- 2018
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In: Innovation Policy, Systems and Management. - : Cambridge University Press. - 9781108423830 - 9781108529525 ; , s. 329-358
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fundamental and enduring changes brought about by recurrent economic and financial crises, the digital revolution and ongoing globalisation processes of production and innovation activities are posing major challenges for regional and national economies to renew their industrial structures and develop innovations that break existing development trajectories. This calls for new innovation policy approaches that are well equipped to support transformation processes towards new industrial growth paths. This chapter aims to provide the conceptual underpinnings for such a reorientation of innovation policy. We take an innovation system (IS) perspective and develop a comprehensive place-based system failure framework for an innovation policy design that is suitable to promote structural change in different region-specific contexts.
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| 25. |
- Grillitsch, Markus, et al.
(author)
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Innovation policy for system-wide transformation : The case of strategic innovation programmes (SIPs) in Sweden
- 2019
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In: Research Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-7333 .- 1873-7625. ; 48:4, s. 1048-1061
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The orientation towards grand societal challenges can be seen as a new wave or paradigm for innovation policy. Such policy aims at system-wide transformation and is often referred to as system innovation policy. While insights from transition studies have provided novel and useful rationales for innovation policy targeting system-wide transformation, it remains unclear how to design, implement and evaluate such policies. The contribution of this paper is to translate and concretize the challenges of system innovation policy towards scope for policy action and analysis. Building on insights from transition studies we group the challenges into four domains: directionality, experimentation, demand articulation, and policy coordination and learning. We relate challenges within the four domains to three generic features of innovation systems: interests and capabilities of actors, networks, and institutions. The derived framework is applied in a case study on the strategic innovation programmes, a recent policy initiative by Vinnova, Sweden's Innovation Agency, targeting system innovation.
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