Tuomo Uotila

Finnish Mosaic of Regional Innovation System—Assessment of Thematic Regional Innovation Platforms Based on Related Variety

The emphasis of Finnish innovation policy has very much been on promoting actions that can be labelled as science–technology–innovation mode of innovation, which is based on the production and use of codified scientific and technical knowledge. However, recent research has emphasized also the importance of more experienced-based mode of learning and innovation, which can be labelled as doing–using–interacting mode of innovation. This study is an attempt to shed light on the current development phase of Finnish innovation system facing the new paradigm. The Finnish innovation system is seen as a mosaic of regional innovation systems. The regional innovation systems are analysed through a developed framework including elements of theories of innovation systems and cluster theories as well as two recent national-level strategy documents. One of the main concepts of the study is related variety in regional innovation platforms. This study also aims at creating a pragmatic framework for describing related variety at the regional level by combining aspects from two theoretical frameworks. The empirical data were gathered in a series of workshops in all the Finnish regions during the year 2008. The result maps Finnish thematic regional innovation platforms fuelled by related variety.

Combining Foresight and Innovation: Developing a Conceptual Model

Foresight and innovation are activities closely linked with each other, the former providing inputs for the latter. However, there have been few attempts to build conceptual and theoretical bridges between these two activities. In this chapter, we present a conceptual model depicting the connections between foresight and innovation activities and learning. Into this broad model we have combined, in a novel way, much-used and well-known concepts and ideas, such as exploration and exploitation, absorptive capacity, three modes of foresight activities, information quality attributes, and information brokerage.

Policies of related variety in practice: the case Innovation Session Method

ABSTRACT The article describes the foundations of related-variety policies in practice, delineating the roles that related variety and fruitful distances may play in innovation policy. The main focus is on methods of managing related variety. Three types of regional collaboration and renewal processes are identified. By presenting empirical research on the Innovation Session Method developed in the Lahti region of Finland, the article provides insights into the practical implementation of innovation policy based on related variety. This study finds that Innovation Sessions appear to function quite well in the related-variety context, serving as a practical implementation of innovation policy that is in transition. The role of an optimal combination of distances is highlighted. This study contributes to the development of effective methods for innovation policy.

Creation and Alignment of the Eco-innovation Strategy Model to Regional Innovation Strategy: A Case from Lahti (Päijät-Häme Region), Finland

Abstract This study focuses on the importance of eco-innovation in regional innovation strategy and policy development. It is conducted to get an in-depth understanding and learning about eco-innovation at the regional level and to draw some principles that are important in creating and aligning the eco-innovation strategy model to regional innovation strategy. The study highlights the new eco-innovation strategy model called SAMPO which was created and developed through a series of multi-stakeholder consultations which embodied the strengthening of the regions expertise—learning and knowledge-generating environment, design and innovation. These three areas of regional expertise are translated in the SAMPO model as three spearheads of innovation activities categorized as practice-based innovation, eco-design and sustainable innovation. Some principles are derived from the creation of the SAMPO model and put forward as strategic learning points in regional innovation strategy. The SAMPO model as positively acknowledged by the Päijät-Häme Regional Council, business clusters, research institutes and academic organizations may serve as a new framework that is useful in formulating and recreating eco-innovation policy in the region.

Re-categorizing innovation policy according to broad-based innovation

ABSTRACT This study lays the foundations for a theory of broad-based innovation and its potential role in innovation policy. The concept of broad-based innovation and its use in policy documents is discussed, followed by a discussion of the components of such innovation. This article proposes a re-categorization of modes of knowledge production in innovation activities to describe the need to more consistently consider and include different types of innovation activities in innovation policy. The study seeks to outline a novel theoretical structure that bridges a number of separate subfields in the study of innovation, providing a comprehensive treatment of the differential innovation puzzle. The study contributes by providing this novel theoretical framework for future planning and evaluation of innovation and innovation policies, systems and strategies.

Environmental Knowledge Management of Finnish Food and Drink Companies in Eco-Efficiency and Waste Management

Introduction Various tools for environmental management (EM) exist but few of them integrate the product life cycle perspective and the knowledge management (KM) approach. The life cycle perspective is an essential aspect of EM, since it classifies and describes actions related to all relevant environmental knowledge areas, from product acquisition, design and manufacture, to product service and disposal. On the other hand, use of KM to tackle environmental issues can help companies to better understand what can be done about environmental problems and how to realize the benefits of environmentally responsible actions (Frick, Kaiser, & Wilson, 2004). Most of the literature on environmental knowledge management (EKM) focuses on informational and softer decision-making tools rather than on appropriate understanding of specific environmental knowledge areas and their connection to organizational structure and culture (Heeney & Murphy, 1999). Environmental knowledge management should combine tools, mechanism, processes, structures, strategies, data, and information with peoples experiences and ideas to enable the creation, capture, sharing, acquisition, and use of knowledge (Huang & Shih, 2009). Consequently, this research employs knowledge management and the product life cycle approach to address individual environmental knowledge areas about eco-efficiency and waste management and their interrelations. There are four relevant challenges for this study based on the literature. The first is incoherence between environmental knowledge about management of raw materials, energy efficiency, and waste (Kaiser & Fuhrer, 2003). Companies have knowledge gaps in understanding and utilization of product life cycle processes due to the complex relationship between raw materials, energy, and waste. The second challenge is related to an inability to identify and analyze all relevant environmental aspects and impacts within the areas of raw materials, energy, and waste management. Companies need to develop an atomistic approach for every business process in order to gain understanding about the risks, costs and benefits of their actions for the each knowledge area (Ipe, 2003; Kaiser & Fuhrer, 2003). The third challenge arises from a lack of empowerment of employees, which prevents them from taking relevant environmental actions. Boiral (2002) emphasizes that managers and environmental specialists must visit work sites and discuss with employees in order to identify their knowledge and competencies as well as to encourage them to think, share, and use their environmental knowledge. Companies also need to find solutions to integrate individual knowledge, plans, experience, and goals into organizational structures. The fourth challenge is found in external contacts and knowledge acquisition from stakeholders and suppliers. This challenge is related to the ability of organizations to acquire relevant external knowledge and integrate it appropriately into internal knowledge (Jorgensen, 2006, 2008). The general aim of this research is to analyze how companies identify relevant eco-efficiency and waste management aspects, their relations and causes, and how they act to address these aspects. Additionally, employing KM and the life cycle approach, this paper sets the following specific objectives: a) to analyze how companies acquire knowledge on eco-efficiency and waste management internally and externally; b) to analyze how companies share knowledge on eco-efficiency and waste management internally and externally; c) to outline the way in which companies use and create knowledge about eco-efficiency and waste management; d) to analyze knowledge accumulation and retrieval about eco-efficiency and waste management; This research focuses on the Finnish companies in food and drink sectors. The food and drink industry is the fourth biggest industry in Finland and, at the same time, one of the greatest users of materials and energy. …

Iterative Transitions Between Exploration and Exploitation: Experiences from the Finnish Manufacturing Industry

This chapter describes methods for advancing exploration and exploitation in industrial settings and presents the experiences of Finnish manufacturing companies that have used such methods. The chapter explores the foundations of exploration and exploitation, and incorporates also both the absorptive capacity and the analytical and interpretative innovation processes into a novel framework for different types of networks, including production, development and innovation networks. In addition to the theoretical considerations, this chapter includes introductions to the various renewal methods and manufacturing company case studies. This work will provide insight into the practical implementation of exploration and exploitation activities and into overcoming the dilemma of transitioning between exploration and exploitation activities in different contexts.

Redesign of Home Care Service Delivery: A Systemic Approach to IT Innovations

This paper delineates how systemic innovations coevolve with organisations in the context of home care and describes the dynamics in shared innovation activities when information technology IT systems are developed for such services. Innovation literature is presented from the system perspective to highlight non-technological characteristics. The case study of home-care services in Finland in 2010-2014 shows that systemic innovations result from collaborative actions because the complexity of these innovations requires knowledge and skills from different fields, which no single entity possesses. The multi-level dynamics challenges the management alternatives that focus either on larger development platforms for transitions, or product-based diffusion-then facing later obstacles related to fragmented solutions when merging IT systems and processes. This study contributes by exploring the complexity of developing innovative solutions under dynamic conditions, when actors have different focuses, interests and interdependencies.