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Absorptive Capacity and Social Capital in Regional Innovation Systems: The Case of the Lahti Region in Finland

Author

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  • Anne Kallio

    (LUT Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, Lahti, 15140, Finland, anne.kallio@lut.fi)

  • Vesa Harmaakorpi

    (LUT Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, Lahti, 15140, Finland, vesa.harmaakorpi@lut.fi)

  • Timo Pihkala

    (LUT Lahti School of Innovation, Saimaankatu 11, Lahti, 15140, Finland, timo.pihkala@lut.fi)

Abstract

The recent theories of innovation suggest that there is great potential for innovation in the structural holes and weak links of the innovation system. Higher absorptive capacity enables an easier crossing over of structural holes in the innovation system, aided by social capital that is located in the social relationships of actors. However, the level of human and social interaction in regional innovation systems has been largely neglected as a research topic. Empirical research on a sample in the Lahti region in Finland suggested three forms of social capital: organisational bonding social capital, regional bridging social capital and personal creative social capital. Further analysis revealed three groups of actors’ interaction behaviour: Missionaries, House Mice and the Passive Resistance.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Kallio & Vesa Harmaakorpi & Timo Pihkala, 2010. "Absorptive Capacity and Social Capital in Regional Innovation Systems: The Case of the Lahti Region in Finland," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(2), pages 303-319, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:47:y:2010:i:2:p:303-319
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009346373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lau, Antonio K.W. & Lo, William, 2015. "Regional innovation system, absorptive capacity and innovation performance: An empirical study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 99-114.
    2. İ. Semih Akçomak & Hanna Müller-Zick, 2018. "Trust and inventive activity in Europe: causal, spatial and nonlinear forces," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 60(3), pages 529-568, May.
    3. James A. Cunningham & Erik E. Lehmann & Matthias Menter & Nikolaus Seitz, 2019. "The impact of university focused technology transfer policies on regional innovation and entrepreneurship," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(5), pages 1451-1475, October.
    4. Hajek, Petr & Henriques, Roberto & Hajkova, Veronika, 2014. "Visualising components of regional innovation systems using self-organizing maps—Evidence from European regions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 197-214.
    5. Jingjing Liu & Peter Nijkamp, 2016. "Inbound tourism as a driving force of the regional innovation system: An impact study on China," ERSA conference papers ersa16p600, European Regional Science Association.
    6. Paul Benneworth & Rómulo Pinheiro, 2015. "Involving universities in regional upgrading in the periphery," CHEPS Working Papers 201510, University of Twente, Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS).
    7. Basco, Rodrigo, 2015. "Family business and regional development—A theoretical model of regional familiness," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 6(4), pages 259-271.
    8. Xu Wang & Hong Fang & Fang Zhang & Siran Fang, 2018. "The Spatial Analysis of Regional Innovation Performance and Industry-University-Research Institution Collaborative Innovation—An Empirical Study of Chinese Provincial Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.

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