Mechanisms of knowledge development in a knowledge ecosystem

Karlstads universitet, Centrum för tjänsteforskning (from 2013) The Ratio Institute Mittuniversitetet 2022

Purpose Although ecosystems have been researched extensively over the past decade, we know little about how they should be organised. Focusing on a knowledge ecosystem comprising a university and a regional strategic network (RSN), this paper aims to describe and discuss the mechanisms for knowledge development in knowledge ecosystems. Design/methodology/approach This paper studies the integration of a university into a Swedish RSN. Data were collected through interviews with representatives of the university, the RSN and all firms comprising the RSN. A qualitative content analysis helped to detect mechanisms for knowledge development. Findings Two reinforcing mechanisms for knowledge development in the knowledge ecosystem are identified: structure and openness, which relate to insight and outlook, respectively. The findings also indicate a knowledge division, with the university representing the transfer of knowledge capabilities as a linear process, whereas the content-related knowledge is collaborative. Originality/value This paper contributes to research on knowledge ecosystems by describing how their organisation is based on a number of contradictions (structure and openness, insight and outlook, linearity and collaboration) to accomplish the development of knowledge capabilities and content-related knowledge.

Innovation; Knowledge ecosystem; Mechanism; Regional strategic network; University; Business Administration; Företagsekonomi; Article in journal; info:eu-repo/semantics/article; text

10.1108.JKM-11-2021-0814

Open access content. Open access content
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

application/pdf
English

UPE oai:DiVA.org:kau-91557
0000-0003-2632-6378
doi:10.1108/JKM-11-2021-0814
ISI:000834193900001
Scopus 2-s2.0-85135214466
1372241891

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