This book comprises of a set of well‐written and informative chapters designed to provide a platform for critical dialogue and learning in the area of innovation and regional development.
The editors set out to examine the characteristics of effective and dynamic innovation processes at the level of the workplace and the regions in which they operate. The book examines the process of change, globalisation, technological development, political and social contexts and the authors address these issues to argue and demonstrate the importance of building knowledge bases. The text does not attempt to provide a road map of best practice, but seeks to create space for sharing diverse knowledge and a genuine opportunity for a range of stakeholders to reflect on experience.
The book sets out to explore the characteristics of “effective and dynamic innovation processes at the level of the workplace and the region, to identify the scope for intervention by key stakeholders such as social partners, policy makers and universities, and to explore action research as the foundation for shared knowledge creation and learning between actors” (p. 4).
The Editors of this volume have divided the 13 contributed chapters into four sections:
- 1.
Key themes.
- 2.
Building coalitions.
- 3.
Capacity building.
- 4.
Policy framework.
1 Key themes
This section explores participation and local organisations. Gustavson chapter highlights network organisations and locates them within the context of a broader social order, and illuminates the tensions associated with the evolution of regional organisations, with particular reference to Norway. The chapter on workplace innovation and regional development argues that workplace innovation is the product of complex social interactions, not just internally within the organisation but also between the organisation and the external environment and its wider group of stakeholders. It further argues that the outcome of these interactions has economic and social consequences that extend beyond the boundaries of the individual organisation.
Another key theme for discussion in this chapter is the role of action research in regional development and workplace innovation processes. Action research provides a valuable opportunity to integrate knowledge production and from theory to practice. In summary, the Gustavson chapter argues that innovation is a collective act, grounded inter‐dependence between firms and actors within the broader network of social relationships by using Norwegian experiences as a case study.
2 Building conditions
This particular section focuses its attention on coalition building and building regional competence. The creation of different approaches to organisational capacity and the development of innovative institution roles are interwoven themes that are developed throughout the various chapters. Within this section two detailed case studies of coalition building are presented to highlight issues relating to organisation development (Claussen) and in contrast Philips et al.'s chapter illuminates the creation of a development coalition designed to generate changes in the area of healthcare provision in the West Skaraborg region of Sweden.
The main strength of this section is the use of action research as an appropriate methodological framework and the application of reflection. Overall, the section raises challenging questions in relation to organisational capacity building within a variety of regions.
3 Capacity building
This section on regional capacity building highlights the need to develop new roles for organisations. It provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to review the role they have played in the regional capacity development and how future agenda will require a much more active role from a variety of partners. Brulin's chapter presents an action research project which is designed to promote enhanced interaction between researchers and practitioners. The concept of shared knowledge is further developed by Lantz and Totterdill, who believe universities, in particular, are uniquely placed to develop inter‐company networks that facilitate exchange of experience and have the potential to develop new knowledge about workplace innovation and their implications for wider regional context. The diversity of this interaction provides a unique opportunity for exchange and engagement.
4 The policy framework
The various chapters in this section helps to identify the gaps in existing policy frameworks and explore how these could be developed.
The principal recommendation from the author is for the:
development of regional workplace forums;
raising the profile of the European employment strategy; and
developing new forms of work organisation.
The author argues that the workplaces need to be recognised as arenas for life long learning, but issues of dissemination and development need further attention and development.
In conclusion, I would argue that the Fricke and Totterdill book offers some excellent insights into workplace innovation and regional development within an action research framework. I found the structure and style of writing to be balanced, engaging and accessible. There is a good blend of theory and practice, academic rigour and useful ideas. The book is logically structured and the chapters are illustrated by accounts from practice.
