HOW DOES AN INNOVATIVE CLUSTER IN A PERIPHERAL AND MARGINALLY INNOVATIVE REGION WORK? Knowledge exchange and policy evaluation in a norwegian biotechnology cluster

Abstract

This project is an exploratory study of the Inland bioeconomy landscape and its relationship with regional development, with a specific focus on the collaboration between Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the biotechnology sector in Norway. Through the lens of Regional Innovation Systems (RISs) in combination with novel approaches to the analysis of clusters, this case-based research analyzes the enablers and barriers contributing to SME and HEI collaboration for knowledge transfer. In-depth interviews and surveys with one of Norway’s Centers of Expertise (NCE), Heidner Biocluster and its members, reveal the nuanced role of geographic and other forms of proximity in fostering university-industry collaborations. The project emphasizes the importance of proximity for SMEs in the biotechnology sector, demonstrating that geographic proximity may benefit larger, more established SMEs, though it is not as important for smaller, more internationally focused ones. It further highlights how innovation clusters exemplify effective place-based leadership in peripheral RISs, contributing to the Inland region’s transition to a circular bioeconomy through strategic cluster governance and administration. Doing so, the project further contributes to broader knowledge on the dynamics of RISs, offering insights into the conditions under which collaboration between the private sector and academic institutions can thrive, thereby enhancing regional competitiveness and innovation. These findings extend to policymaking, strategic planning, and research on the implementation of the bioeconomy.