Regional innovation systems and company engagement in the Arctic context

• Main Author: Longi, H. (Henna)
• Other Authors: Haapasalo, H. (Harri), Tervonen, P. (Pekka)
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Oulun yliopisto 2021
• Subjects: Arctic region; company engagement; innovation; innovation systems; regional studies; aluetutkimus; arktinen alue; innovaatiojärjestelmät; innovaatiotoiminta; yritysyhteistyö; Arctic; Arktinen alue
• Online Access: http://urn.fi/urn:isbn:9789526229782

Abstract Global changes in value chains and developments in technology and knowledge have resulted in the adoption of more interactive and network-based models of innovation. These are seen as helping regional economies to gain competitive strength and for companies to use external knowledge to act innovatively to increase their competitiveness. Understanding the interplay between public and private actors and understanding the different factors that generate innovation in different regions have been topics in different innovation management, regional, and economic studies. The theoretical framework of this study is based on systemic and regional approaches to innovation. More specifically, the approach of a regional innovation system (RIS) is used to better understand the systemic network relationships for innovation at the regional level. Company engagement literature is also included to complement the theoretical framework of the study. There is a need to understand the elements of complex innovation systems and evaluate their capacity to stimulate innovation. These elements include different components in the RIS that affect the aims and innovation activities taking place in the region. In addition, studies are needed in more remote regions to understand how different components affect the overall performance of the RIS in such regions, including the Arctic. In a functional innovation system, more emphasis is needed on operationalization and the collaboration with companies. Thus, the main aim is to identify elements that are part of a public-driven innovation system in the Arctic context recognizing the importance of company engagement. The results indicate that a regional innovation system encompasses general and regional components and inter-regional collaboration, which are the basis of the innovation aims and activities in the system. There is no single component or element rising above all, indicating that all should be included in any consideration of innovation system development. Tiivistelmä ...