The Role of Competence Brokering in Creating Industrial Innovation Network of SMEs in Regional Development

This paper is an introduction to a business development programme called "The Innovation Network Concept" seen from knowledge transfer perspective. It is developed by the research institute SINTEF in Trondheim, Norway, and specifically designed for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) that want to expand and strengthen their innovation abilities. The main objectives of the Concept are mapping the company's needs for technology development, analysis of the current situation, definition and implementation of technology projects, technology watch, marketing, cooperation and networking. To accomplish the technology projects, expert knowledge from relevant R&D institutes, universities or other knowledge environments are used. The concept facilitates each company to work in close cooperation with a researcher/mentor and a process manager in a given period, normally 1.5 years. Apart from the specific technology challenges defined by the project, the company has the opportunity to make use of the researcher or even a consultant to look at other special challenges within the company, e.g. strategy, creativity and access to ideas, competence and knowledge management, organizational development, export, and other areas that need special attention. The paper presents the Norwegian approach and experiences of competence brokering in regional innovation and development, and focuses on describing aspects like brokering methods, working steps, current practice, and the role of competence brokering to contribute and develop industrial networks and clusters. The paper is based on literature studies, reflection and experiences from competence brokers' point of view, and lessons learned in the establishment and implementation of the Innovation Network Concept, especially when it comes to knowledge transfer activities, business development and innovation in SMEs. Promoting regional development and creating industrial clusters lead to nationwide value creation. The paper aims at contributing to more understanding on regional development and its role in developing industrial networks, by focusing on collaboration and knowledge transfer between organisations. This focus can trigger new ideas, and lead to further discussion that can generate new knowledge. The paper also raises certain related issues, primarily about how to achieve better results in improvement of processes and further development of programmes for competence brokering and networking.