Scientists as Midwives to Cluster Emergence: An Institutional Work Framework

The question of how embedded actors can create institutions that support cluster emergence remains unsolved in the cluster and national innovation systems literature. The present paper extends the recent literature on institutional entrepreneurship and institutional work to solve this paradox of embedded agency in the context of science-based clusters. Building on a longitudinal single case study of a functional foods cluster in Finland, we present an institutional work framework for cluster formation. We argue that, in addition to ideational, material and bridging work, authentic leadership work is critical for cluster emergence. The results of the study highlight the opportunities that scientists have to act as midwives to cluster formation, but they also show that well-functioning clusters need a broader support base.Peer reviewe

Food innovation at interfaces: experience from the Öresund region

This book chapter contains an analysis of the innovation processes in the food area in Sweden. It is part of a book comparing centers of excellence in innovation i Europe and their similarities and differences concerning innovation dynamic

The role of universities in the regional innovation systems of the North East of England and Scania, Sweden: providing missing links?

The increased popularity of and attention for innovation based regional growth and development has, among other things, brought forward the importance of universities in regional innovation systems (RIS). The triple helix literature especially underscores the value of increased interaction and interdependence between universities – industry – government in modern, knowledge-based economies by acclaiming the rise of the entrepreneurial. This paper provides a comparative analysis of the RIS problems in the North East in the UK and Scania in Sweden and the role of universities in regional innovation policy addressing these problems. The results of this comparison question a one-size-fits-all (entrepreneurial) model to harness university based knowledge resources for regional development. Instead it is shown that various constellations are possible dependent on the characteristics of the RIS problems

Exploring the Multiple Roles of Lund University in Strengthening Scania's Regional Innovation System: Towards Institutional Learning?

Universities are increasingly seen as potential contributors to regional innovative capacity by serving as local knowledge conduits, bringing global state-of-the-art science and technology into the region. In practice, however, more active university engagement with their regional innovation systems is not as straightforward as it may seem. The article uses examples from a successful case by which less successful regions could be inspired. Our analysis considers how various forms of technological learning intersecting within Lund University around three distinct sectoral engagement efforts have been built up and how this created new structural regional innovation capacity

From retail innovation and image to loyalty: moderating effects of product type

This study aims to analyse value-satisfaction-loyalty relationships in retailing by examining the contribution of image and innovation and understanding value as a multidimensional construct. Furthermore, to identify possible differences in these relationships the moderating effect of the type of product marketed in the store is examined. On a sample of 820 customers from four types of stores, SEM methodology and multigroup analysis were applied. The results confirm that image has more influence than innovation on the dimensions of value and that entertainment and excellence are the main antecedents of satisfaction. Some relationships have also been found in which the type of product marketed in the store has a moderating effect