Abstract
Anchor companies and their interaction with other companies matter in thin regional innovation systems. They matter if, on the one hand, they have access to national and international knowledge sources and markets, and on the other hand are engaged in knowledge sharing and innovation processes in the cluster and in the region they are part of. It is companies and their interaction with knowledge organisations and policy makers that is the foundation for regional development in a long-term basis. The empirical test bed for the discussion is the oil and gas equipment supplier industry in Agder, Norway, which in the last 4–5 years has grown to a world leading position with deliveries to the oil and gas off-shore industry.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
VRI is a policy tool program for encouraging innovation, knowledge development, and added value through regional cooperation and a strengthened research and development effort within and for the regions.
The question about “buzz” was formulated as this in the survey: judge the importance of information and ideas from the local, national and international industrial environment from very important, important to less important or not relevant.
References
Asheim BT, Gertler M (2005) The geography of innovation: regional innovation systems. In: Fagerberg J, Mowery D, Nelson R (eds) The oxford handbook of innovation. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 291–317
Asheim BT, Smith HL, Oughton C (2011) Regional innovation systems: theory empirics and policy. Reg Stud 45(7):875–891
Aslesen WH, Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2012) Modes of innovation and differentiated responses to globalisation - A case study of innovation modes in the Agder region, Norway. J Knowl Econ, Fourtcoming
Benner C (2003) Learning communities in a learning region: the soft infrastructure of cross-firm learning networks in Silicon Valley. Environ Plan A 10:1809–1830
Cooke P (1992) Regional innovation systems: competitive regulation in the New Europe. Geoforum 23(3):365–382
Cooke P (1998) Introduction: origins of the concept. In: Braczyk H-J, Cooke P, Heidenreich M (eds) Regional innovation systems. UCL, London, pp 2–25
Doloreux D, Dionne S (2008) Is regional innovation system development possible in peripheral regions? Some evidence from the case of La Pocatière Canada. Entrepreneurship Reg Dev 20(May):259–283
Doloreux D, Dionnez S (2008) Is regional innovation system development possible in peripheral regions? Some evidence from the case of La Pocatière, Canada. Entrepreneurship Reg Dev 259–283
Doloreux DAI, Karlsen J, Dionne S (2012) Constructing regional advantages in peripheral regions: analysis of two localised productive systems. Norsk Geografisk Tidskrift 66: 144–154
Feldmann M (2003) The locational dynamics of the US biotech industry: knowledge externalities and the anchor hypothesis. Ind Innov 10(3):311–328
Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2010a) Different modes of Innovation and the challenge of connecting universities and industry: case studies of two regional industries in Norway. Eur Plan Stud 18(12):1993–2008
Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2010) What is regional in regional clusters? The case of the globally oriented oil and gas cluster in Agder, Norway, 8th European Urban and Regional Studies Conference. Vienna European Urban and Regional Studies
Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2011) Organizational learning, supportive innovation systems, and implications for policy formulation. J Knowl Econ 2(4):453–462
Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2012a) Changing regional collaborative relations in a global economy: a case study of the oil and gas equipment supplier cluster in Agder. In: Johnsen HCG, Ennals R (eds) Creating collaborative advantage: innovation and knowledge creation in regional economies. Gower, London, pp 151–159
Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2012b) Combined and complex mode of innovation in regional cluster development - Analysis of the light-weight material cluster in Raufoss. In: Asheim B, Parilli MD (eds) Interactive learning for innovation: a key driver within clusters and innovation systems. Palgrave-Macmillan, Basingstoke, pp 115–135
Isaksen A, Karlsen J (2013) Can small regions construct regional advantages? The case of four Norwegian regions European Urban and Regional Studies, (forthcoming)
Jensen MB, Johnson B, Lorenz E, Lundvall BA (2007) Forms of knowledge and modes of innovation. Res Policy 36:680–693
Karlsen J (2007) The regional role of the university: A study of knowledge creation in the agora between Agder University College and regional actors in Agder Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim
Kishimoto C (2004) Clustering and upgrading in global value chains: the Taiwanese personal computer industry. In: Schmitz (Ed.), Local enterprises in the global economy. Issues of governance and upgrading: 233–264, Edward Elgar, Cheltenham
Lundvall B-A (ed) (1992) National systems of innovation: towards a theory of innovation and interactive learning. Pinter, London
Lundvall B-A (2007) National innovation systems - analytical concept and development tool. Ind Innov 14(1):95–119
Markusen A (1996) Stickly places in slippery spaces: a typology of industrial districts. Econ Geogr 72(3):293–313
Martin R, Sunley P (2003) Deconstructing Clusters: chaotic concept or policy panacea? J Econ Geogr 3:5–35
Niosi J, Saviotti P, Bellon B, Crow B (1993) National systems of innovation: in search of workable concepts. Technol Soc 15(2):207–227
Porter ME (1998) On competition. Harvard Business School Press, Boston
Ragin CC, Becker HS (1992) What is a case? Exploring the fundations of social inquiry. Cambridge University Press, New York
Sayer RA (1992) Method in social science a realist approach, 2nd edn. Routledge, London
Tödtling F, Trippl M (2005) One size fits all? Towards a differentiated regional innovation policy approach. Res Policy 34(8):1203–1219
Uyarra E (2010) What is evolutionary about `regional systems of innovation’? Implications for regional policy’. J Evol Econ 20:115–137
Uyarra E, Flanagan K (2010) From regional systems of innovation to regions as innovation policy spaces. Environ Plan C Govern Policy 28(4):681–695
Vatne E (2008) Olje og gass - En ny næring i hurtig vekst (Oil and Gas - A rapidly growing industry). In: Isaksen A, Karlsen A, Sæther B (eds) Innovasjoner i norske næringer - Et geografisk perspektiv (Innovation in Norwegian Industries - a Geographical approach). Fagbokforlaget, Bergen, pp 101–120
Yin RK (2009) Case study research design and methods, 4th edn. Sage, Los Angeles
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Karlsen, J. The Role of Anchor Companies in Thin Regional Innovation Systems Lessons from Norway. Syst Pract Action Res 26, 89–98 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-012-9266-4
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11213-012-9266-4