| Summary: | Mass-production of Atlantic salmon in Norway is considered a major industrial success by many observers, and Norwegian firms and technology play an important role in this industry globally. The practice originated in peripheral communities in Norway during the 1960s. Drawing on Schumpeterian and more recent innovation theory, salmon production is shown to be an innovation-in-the-making for several decades. Starting out as an inclusive innovation, salmon production soon became entangled with scientific research, but in a way that can be characterized as grassroots. The interplay of rivalling institutional and commercial forces during three distinct phases of innovation and industry development ended up being a boon for the new industry. Compared to similar developments in Canada and Chile, Norway’s particular experience is that a balancing of institutional and commercial forces and favourable conditions for ongoing dialogue were conducive to significant growth while avoiding ecological disaster.
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