THE ROLE OF INNOVATION NETWORKS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
30. November – 1. December 2017,
University of Bremen, Germany
In the 3rd research area [X] ’Networks’ workshop we would like to turn our attention to THE ROLE OF INNOVATION NETWORKS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. At the very heart of the workshop we aim at attracting cutting-edge contributions addressing the link between innovation networks and sustainability.
Background
In many economies, we can observe that unsustainable technologies and practices prevail, even though more sustainable alternatives are technologically available today. However, more and more firms and regions start rethinking their traditional practices and go beyond their well-trodden tracks. Reasons for this are manifold, ranging from national political imperatives derived from the long term international climate policy agenda, to increasing customer awareness, and demand for sustainable goods and services. To withstand this pressure, firms and regions are forced to adapt to new regulatory requirements and demand patterns by re-organizing internal processes and business models in order to provide innovative and sustainable solutions and outperform competitors. In such highly competitive environments, a firm’s R&D cooperation activities and its ‘s strategic positioning in the industry’s and region’s innovation networks can provide key advantages such as access to new knowledge stocks, costs and risks sharing in uncertain technological environments. In light of sustainability, consumer participation and self-organization, as well as regional structures cooperation activities begin to play a key role.
In this workshop, we would like to focus on the role that R&D cooperation and innovation networks play for sustainable economic development, i.e. the advancement of environmentally friendly technologies, innovative products and services, production processes and new organizational structures.
Thematic scope
We will focus on ecological sustainability and include all types of corporate, public and non-governmental efforts that are intended to reduce the environmental pressure. This can mean a focus on innovative products stemming from different technological fields, such as bioeconomy, renewable energy, or electrical vehicles. It can also mean the perspective on corporate change processes, such as the joint development of new resource saving production processes. Furthermore, we include joint innovation efforts of different actors in particular regions to share resources, such as in the field of mobility and transport. Finally, we are also interested in scholarly work on how the increasing awareness of “sustainability” shapes networks of innovators.
In terms of disciplines, we would like to invite papers from economics, management science, economic geography, and further social sciences. Interdisciplinary work is highly welcomed.
We welcome presentations in the following exemplary research fields whereby the methodology and approach can be broad and creative in itself:
Consumer driven start-ups and networks
Change management towards sustainability
Eco-innovation and innovation networks
Innovation networks for shared resources
Regional innovation networks and sustainability transitions
Eco-innovation networks and firm success
Sustainability focused transition processes at micro, meso and macro levels
Innovation networks and sustainability transitions in different sectors, e.g. bioeconomy, energy, mobility, etc.
Sustainability driven change of technological paradigms
Innovation policy as a tool for sustainable economic development
Further topics related to these issues are highly welcomed as well.
Guest speakers
Maj Munch Andersen (Technical University of Denmark)
Bernd Orlik (University of Bremen)
Christian Binz (EAWAG)
Scientific committee
Thomas Brenner (Philipps University Marburg)
Uli Dewald (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (ITAS))
Wolfram Elsner (University of Bremen)
Dirk Fornahl (University of Bremen)
Michael Fritsch (Friedrich Schiller University, Jena)
Stefan Gößling-Reisemann (University of Bremen)
Holger Graf (Friedrich Schiller University, Jena)
Robert Hassink (University of Kiel)
Torben Klarl (University of Bremen)
Jannika Mattes (University of Oldenburg)
Georg Müller-Christ (University of Bremen)
Andreas Pyka (University of Hohenheim)
Local organizing committee
The workshop is an initiative of the EAEPE Research Area [X] ‘Networks’ (coordinators: Stefano Battiston, University of Zürich and Muhamed Kudic, University of Bremen). In the year 2017, it is organized by the University of Bremen and the University of Greifswald. Members of the organizing committee are:
Jutta Günther (University of Bremen)
Muhamed Kudic (University of Bremen)
Daniel Schiller (University of Greifswald)
Tobias Wendler (University of Bremen)
Publication possibilities
A selected number of presentations will be invited to submit a revised version of the paper to a well-known, peer-reviewed special issue. We are currently evaluating opportunities in several innovation and network related journals.
Organizational issues
The 3rd Research Area [X] ‘Networks’ workshop is planned as a two-day event, organized in a workshop atmosphere with thematic paper sessions and guest speaker’s presentations. Non-published work from senior as well as young scholars is highly welcomed. There will be no conference fee. Participants of the workshop are expected to cover their travel and accommodation costs.
Submissions
We invite contributions within the above described thematic scope addressing one or more of the above outlined research questions. Please submit extended abstracts (300-750 words, PDF or Word) to: rax2017@uni-bremen.de
Important dates
Submission deadline for extended abstracts: 16 October 2017
Notification of acceptance: 23 October 2017
Registration deadline: 13 November 2017
Submission of full papers: 20 November 2017
The 3rd RA [x] ‘Networks’ workshop: 30 November- 1 December 2017
Location
University of Bremen, Teerhof conference hall, Auf dem Teerhof 58, 28199 Bremen, Germany
For any questions please contact us: office-guenther@uni-bremen.de