Combinatorial knowledge dynamics and regional development An explorative case study of food tourism in North Jutland, Denmark

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Combinatorial knowledge dynamics and regional
developmentAn explorative case study of food
tourism in North Jutland, Denmark
Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk
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Specialisation or variety?

• Combinatorial knowledge dynamics and related
  variety
• From (cumulative) clusters to (combinatorial)
  related variety
• Empirical studies regions more likely to expand
  into related activities, experiencing knowledge
  spill-overs and growth (Asheim et al. 2011,
  Frenken 2007)
• Regional development platforms
• Lahti (Harmaakorpi, 2006), Bavaria, Skåne, Styria
  (Cooke, 2012), Tuscany (Lazzeretti, 2010)
• Identifying and promoting potential future
  cross-sectoral synergies

Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk
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Related varietyFrom pre-conditions to practices
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• Two streams in the current literature
• Quantitative studies measuring degrees of variety
  in regions (preconditions), correlating these
  with economic outcomes (e.g. employment growth)
• Assumption optimal cognitive distance between
  sectors
• Close enough for understanding, far enough to
  learn
• Qualitative case studies of individual
  cross-sectoral regional initiatives
• Story-telling around individual cases, focusing
  on successful outcomes and so far less detail
  about process

Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk
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Related varietyFrom pre-conditions to practices
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• Is relatedness enough?
• Process of combination/boundary crossing is often
  not straightforward, even within sectors/firms
• Knowledge is sticky because it is embedded in
  practices (e.g. Carlile 2002, Beckhy 2003)
• Assessment of relatedness may not be enough
• Successful cross-sectoral innovation requires not
  just transfer of knowledge but transformation of
  existing practices/creation of new practices

Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk
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CASE STUDYFood tourism platform in North Jutland

• Why?
• Branding, boost local food production, extend
  tourist season
• Taking a practice perspective
• Key and marginal actors
• Sayings and doings
• Practical concerns
• Temporal organization
• Interviews Observation
• food producers, retailers, policymakers

Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk
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Feeding Tourists Food Tourism
Producing Food Industrial production of standardized foodstuffs Maximise profits Some small artisan producers Small-scale, traditional, creative, local Often lifestyle businesses
Retailing Supermarkets/national wholesalers Local food market Food network to link producers with restaurants Still no joint distribution
Catering Self-catering (bringing food from home) Occasional eating out Limited seasonality, pre-fab ingredients Signature dishes with local ingredients Story-telling menu
Promoting Tourism Summer season Families Promotion Branding region with food Extended season Older wealthier couples Developing initiatives
Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk
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Key Findings and perspectives

• Focus on changing practices of retailing,
  branding and promoting
• Support for marginalised food production
  practices, but small scale
• Some practices too difficult to change/link
  together buying practices of supermarkets and
  restaurants
• Focus on visible practices new temporality
  (outside main season) rather than localising food
  chain
• Deeper understanding of processes of knowledge
  combination in order to understand
  difficult/successful cross-sectoral initiatives
• Not knowledge transfer but transformation of
  (knowledgeable) practices

Laura James laura.james_at_humangeo.su.se Henrik
Halkier halkier_at_cgs.aau.dk