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Modes of Innovation and Differentiated Responses to Globalisation—A Case Study of Innovation Modes in the Agder Region, Norway

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Abstract

The main argument of this paper is that firms and industries are dominated by different innovation modes and that they therefore respond differently to challenges of globalisation. The paper differentiates between three modes: science, technology and innovation (STI), doing, using and interacting (DUI) application mode and the DUI technological mode. These innovation modes are based on different dominant knowledge bases, modes of learning and external knowledge. What is the implication of these differences with regard to competing in a global economy? Our empirical research shows that firms innovating according to the DUI application mode are in a position of negative lock-in due to severe competition from low-cost countries. The DUI technological mode firms are globally competitive due to a strong regional technological base built upon broad collaboration and a mixed innovation strategy. The STI firms are often part of international or national corporations, with a constant threat of being relocated to another country if they are not globally competitive.

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Notes

  1. Agder had 13.5% of its employees in manufacturing industries in 2006 compared with 9.6% in Norway (Statistics Norway).

  2. The firms in the ICT industry were selected according to information from a regional organisation (Coventure) working to support firms and networking in this industry.

  3. The chemical manufacturing industry and metal production (NACE 24 and 27) had about 2,300 jobs in Agder in 2007 (according to Statistics Norway), while the process industry firms in the sample have more than 1,900 jobs. Manufacturing of machinery and equipment (NACE 29) included about 3,100 jobs in Agder in 2007, and the equipment suppliers in the sample have nearly 2,500 jobs. As regards the ICT industry, the sectors office machinery and equipment, electrical machinery and apparatus, radio, television and communication equipment and apparatus, and computer and related activities (NACE 30, 31, 32 and 72) include 2,100 jobs at Agder, and the sample of ICT firms in the survey includes 750 jobs.

  4. The DUI application category includes many cultural firms (Table 3) that need to recruit architects, designers and many other higher educated and skilled workers outside Agder as there is no education for such professions in Agder.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BI Norwegian Business School, Nydalsveien 37, 0484, Oslo, Norway

    Heidi Wiig Aslesen

  2. University of Agder, Postboks 422, 4604, Kristiansand S, Norway

    Arne Isaksen

  3. Agder Research, Gimlemoen 19, 4630, Kristiansand S, Norway

    James Karlsen

Authors
  1. Heidi Wiig Aslesen
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  2. Arne Isaksen
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  3. James Karlsen
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Correspondence to Heidi Wiig Aslesen.

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Aslesen, H.W., Isaksen, A. & Karlsen, J. Modes of Innovation and Differentiated Responses to Globalisation—A Case Study of Innovation Modes in the Agder Region, Norway. J Knowl Econ 3, 389–405 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-011-0060-9

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