The Role of Innovation Intermediaries in Innovation Systems

Abstract

The paper investigates the role of innovation intermediaries in sector-specific regional innovation systems. Innovation is viewed as a non-linear, iterative process and open process involving multiple actors from different parts of the innovation system. The paper studies in particular innovation intermediaries that provide support to firms in the regional innovation system through the fulfillment of key innovation system functions. The implication of the fulfillment of innovation system functions by innovation intermediaries in the Scandinavian food sector context is examined through in-depth interviews and analysis of secondary documents. It concludes with a discussion on the potential of enabling innovation intermediaries to play a more strategic role in regional innovation system.