Realising the bio economy through Paper Province 2.0 A knowledge dynamics perspective Margareta Dahlström University of Karlstad, Sweden Realising the bio economy in the Baltic Sea Region Nordic Council of Ministers workshop Berlin, Germany, 18-19 September 2014
The Paper Province a cluster organisation The managed network The Paper Province a 15 years old cluster organisation - appointed a World-Class Cluster by the European Cluster Observatory. 90+ firms including global manufacturing firms and KIBS e.g. Stora Enso, Tetra Pak, Metso, Pöyry, but also many smaller, local firms e.g. in legal services.
Major challenges and opportunities Climate change transition to sustainable developmen Globalisation fierce global competition Technological and behavioural changes e.g. reduced demand for newspaper quality paper Also opportunities: Innovations on current strength e.g. smart packaging Totally new innovations e.g. hot water from the paper mills becoming input resource for king prawn farms
The case: Paper Province 2.0 10 years initiative: 2013-2022 - SEK 130 M (ca 15M) Initiative co-funded with 50% through a triple helix partnership Paper Province (LP) and its member firms Region Värmland The County Administrative Board of Värmland Local authorities The Swedish Forest Agency Karlstad University 50% funded by The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA) the Vinnväxt programme
Aim of Paper Province 2.0 Vision: In 10 years The Paper Province is a leading European competence node for a forestry based bio economy. Aim: To create a large scale demonstrator that from a service and systems perspective coordinates and demonstrate bio economy in practise. To contribute to sustainable development in the region and beyond sustainability in practice. Challenge: How do we DO that???
The role of Karlstad University Researchers in areas such as environment- and energy-systems and chemical engineering involved. Focus: in network collaborations contribute to research, technical development and innovations within the initiative. Transition to a bio economy needs broader knowledge and development including social sciences and the humanities. Our focus: processes and change that are needed for a transition to a bio based economy.
Limitation: Developing methods supporting transition to a bio economy Transition to a bio economy Needs new ways of thinking and working Needs new knowledge and networks Takes time! Needs long term commitment We start with focusing on development of multi- and transdisciplinary methods of research and development. Involving different disciplines and different stakeholders including users
Research input my way in Based on research projects in knowledge dynamics and innovation: EURODITE (FP6) and REKENE (NICe) Crevoisier & Jeannerat (2009) Knowledge dynamics Dahlström & James (2012) Knowledge anchoring Hermelin, Dahlström & Smas (2014) Composite knowledge and learning To deliver the goals of a forestry based bio economy: innovation of processes, products and services are needed. Applying key findings from the projects regarding knowledge dynamics, networks and governance to the Paper Province initiative
A knowledge dynamics perspective on Paper Province 2.0 Broad understanding of knowledge, not only natural science, and not only research actors Composite knowledge and cross-sectoral interactions are innovative Multi-actor knowledge interactions. Different types of actors are involved in knowledge relations; HEIs, research institutes, firms and networks of firms, public agencies, consumers, civil society... Multi-scalar knowledge interactions. Regional knowledge dynamics involve relations inside and outside the region. Networks and relations are crucial
Inspired by Living labs literature Living labs - a participatory research method The aim of a living lab is to innovate solutions to needs. Emphasis on: 1. An identified need 2. A real-world setting 3. User/stakeholder involvement and empowerment and 4. Strong connection to research. Processes in living labs can include exploration, experimentation and evaluation of innovative ideas and scenarios. E.g. Ståhlbröst, 2008 and Eriksson et al. 2005
Connecting the geography of sustainability transitions with Paper Province 2.0 Inspired by Truffer and Coenen (2012) Sustainability transition is a political project needs policy interaction Challenge: lack of long term commitment e.g. due to election cycles PP2.0 advantage: 10 year commitment (based on previous longterm relationship) Sustainability transition lacks spatial dimension Regional studies research on sustainable development contributes e.g. by highlighting the importance of complex networks of relationships that are multi-scalar but has a strong regional dimension PP2.0 advantage: Existing arena of collaboration between partners The benefit of geographical proximity to deepen the circular economy
Connecting the geography of sustainability transitions with Paper Province 2.0 continued How to do sustainability transition? Complex interaction in different networks of actors including stakeholders Real-world experiments living labs inspiration PP2.0 advantage: developing multi- and transdisciplinary methods for research and development Workshop in November: Developing cross-cutting stakeholder involvement for realising the bio economy (with partners from PP2.0, Nordregio, Finland and Estonia). Exploring ways of working to communicate across disciplines and roles aiming at identifying key research and development questions for a transition to a sustainable regional development in a bio economy.
Early phases parallel processes of project development Invitation to input! Reading phase Designing workshop Developing theoretical framework Designing empirical research Planning for publications and research applications Input very welcome!
Resources for a forestry based bio economy: River Klarälven and endless forest in Värmland region www.regionvarmland.se Contact: Margareta.dahlstrom@kau.se