Vesa Harmaakorpi

Social capital in building regional innovative capability

Tura T. and Harmaakorpi V. (2005) Social capital in building regional innovative capability, Regional Studies 39 , 1111–1125. The paper focuses on the relation of social capital and regional innovative capability. It examines the social nature of the innovative processes placing demands on the regional innovation environment and underlining the importance of social capital. The paper analyses the concept of social capital and problems connected to it. It introduces a conception of social capital defining it functionally as a field‐specific social resource of an actor. This conception is applied to analyse social capital as a central element in enhancing regional innovative capability. The relation between social capital and innovation capability is not, however, without problems. This still controversial relation is discussed.

Regional Development Platform Method (RDPM) as a tool for regional innovation policy 1

Abstract Regional development strategies should be based on the sound assessment of regional resources, as well as on forming dynamic capabilities aiming to develop the resource configurations in order to form regional competitive advantage. In this study, the concept “regional development platform” is used as a tool for assessing the regional potentials on which sustainable, competitive advantage could be built. The Regional Development Platform Method (RDPM) is presented as a tool for designing and managing a regional innovation system. It consists of eight phases, in which the underlying potential in the region is explored and the exploitation of the potential organized. The experiences gained from applying the RDPM in the Lahti region, Finland, are used to illustrate the article.

Knowledge management in regional innovation networks: The case of Lahti, Finland1

ABSTRACT This article focuses on knowledge creation and management in regional innovation networks. A knowledge management system for a regional innovation network is designed. Besides explicit and tacit knowledge, self-transcending knowledge is taken into account within the knowledge management system. In addition, considerations of knowledge vision as well as methods from futures studies are incorporated into the system. An innovation network of the Lahti regional innovation system, Finland, is used as a case example in the article. The article highlights the importance of combining loose network development and an explicit, systematic approach to planning and working on knowledge-related matters within regional innovation networks.

Absorptive Capacity and Social Capital in Regional Innovation Systems: The Case of the Lahti Region in Finland

The recent theories of innovation suggest that there is great potential for innovation in the structural holes and weak links of the innovation system. Higher absorptive capacity enables an easier crossing over of structural holes in the innovation system, aided by social capital that is located in the social relationships of actors. However, the level of human and social interaction in regional innovation systems has been largely neglected as a research topic. Empirical research on a sample in the Lahti region in Finland suggested three forms of social capital: organisational bonding social capital, regional bridging social capital and personal creative social capital. Further analysis revealed three groups of actors’ interaction behaviour: Missionaries, House Mice and the Passive Resistance.

Data, information and knowledge in regional innovation networks

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to investigate data, information and knowledge in regional innovation networks. Emphasis has been put recently on regional innovation systems, where various actors are involved in innovative processes. The article responds to the need to study matters related to knowledge management and information quality in such environments.Design/methodology/approach – Regional innovation networks and data, information and knowledge as well as research on them are discussed at a theoretical level. An existing innovation network of the Lahti region, Finland, was utilised as a pilot environment when building the knowledge management framework that is introduced. The framework is based on established knowledge management literature and practice.Findings – The results confirm that the aspects of data, information and knowledge need to be addressed systematically in regional innovation networks. They are intertwined with knowledge management and network management. The knowledge man...

Collective Creativity and Brokerage Functions in Heavily Cross-Disciplined Innovation Processes

Abstract The centres of collective creativity tend to be at the intersections of different domains. Based on this, distances between innovating partners can be considered as sources of innovation. However, the literature usually emphasises the advantages of proximity. Proximity may, however, also have negative impacts due to the problem of lock-in – meaning a lack of openness and flexibility. This article takes the changed pattern of innovation as a point of departure: innovations are seen to emerge in nonlinear processes, often combining very diverse knowledge bases. Structural holes in networks of innovation systems are especially fruitful for innovation. In theoretical discussion, this article presents seven dimensions of distance: cognitive, communicative, organisational, functional, cultural, social, and geographical. In attempts to create innovation, different kinds of distances would need to be exploited knowingly. The study uses the experiences of the case study to answer how it is possible to span the structural holes in cross-disciplined multi-actor innova-tion. According to the experiences, the brokerage function is essential in exploiting the different kinds of distances. Indeed, it was necessary to define two brokerage functions: process brokerage and session brokerage.

Breaking inside the black box: towards a dynamic evaluation framework for regional innovative capability

Alongside theories of innovation, different measures of innovativeness and innovative capability have been developed. However, there are problems with the existing evaluation tools, especially when considering the dynamics of innovation processes. The measurement of the innovativeness of regions is particularly challenging. This paper describes recent changes in regional innovation policy models. It is argued that these policy models demand new tools for evaluating regional innovative capability. This paper tries to overcome some of the problems of the current evaluation tools. It outlines a framework for the network-based innovative capability evaluation matrix for evaluating and developing regional innovation policies. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Collective voicing as a reflexive practice

This article focuses on the co-construction of a reflexive practice in a public health-care organisation. We study how the reflexive methods of applied drama and theatre facilitate ‘collective voicing’, specifically in the context of dental health-care professionals’ reflections on their own practices in perplexed situations. Our emphasis is on research-based theatre as a way by which the employees of an organisation can become more reflexive in their relationship with customers. This study makes use of the research-based theatre approach, illustrating how various voices – even those of young customers – are expressed, heard and discussed in order to interpret the status quo of perplexed situations and relationships and to imagine possible choices for disentangling the perplexity. Our study demonstrates the value of post-Boalian applied drama and theatre practices and presents a path for collective voicing as a learning process enabling reflexive practice in organisations.

Knowledge Production in Networked Practice-based Innovation Processes - Interrogative Model as a Methodological Approach

Innovations emerge increasingly in practice-based processes combining both practical and scientific knowledge. The innovation processes are typically cooperative non-linear processes where knowledge production is triggered by different kinds of sources. Innovation based on a scientific theoretical approach is an exception rather than the rule as such a source. Therefore, knowledge production in practice-based, networked innovation processes requires new methodological approaches. The interrogative model of inquiry, having its origins in the field of theoretical philosophy, is presented as such a methodological approach. A mental exercise of knowledge production in the middle ground between the practice-based metal industry and science-based nanotechnology is used to clarify the methodological approach. Ke ywords: innovation, knowledge production, innovation systems, interrogative model, philosophy

Leadership in different kinds of regional development networks

Purpose – The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of network leadership in meeting the requirements for regional development networks imposed by the network society.Design/methodology/approach – A new framework of three different archetypes of regional development networks was devised. The characteristics of the different networks and the requirements they set for network leadership were assessed as a case study in the Lahti Region, Finland. A special panel of experts of three highly experienced network leaders was organized as part of the present study. Their task was to assess the differences concerning network leadership in different regional development networks. The session was conducted in the (niin sanottu means it was not an inspiration) Inspiration Center in the Lahti Region. Inspiration Center is a platform for brainstorming and stimulation, designed especially to arrive at ideas and form opinions through teamwork. The method used was a half‐structured group discussion, planned espe...