Post on 01-Mar-2023
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Regional Innovation system and Region in Sweden
Yo Tsuchida
Abstract
This paper argues, through the case of packaging and printing industry in Värmland, Regional
Innovation system (RIS) and the part of regional government to make RIS function. Basic
reason of the fact Värmland, while locates in periphery, has accumulation of packaging and
printing industry, the industry value added and market oriented, is that the industry there
realizes innovation responding to rapid change of raw material and needs of market through
intimate exchange of information with user in distant area made possible by development of
information technology. Uniqueness of the industry is that, while each company has its own
connection with national and global wide actors through each type of network, on the whole
RIS functions with mutual trust among companies and social and cultural environment in
Värmland for background.
To make RIS function Region Värmland (RV) plays important part through encouraging
network organization among companies and bridging cooperation between Karlstad University
and the industry and so on. The reason made it possible is that RV plays its part as pivot of
network formation through coordinating both horizontally interests and policies among
communes and social and economic organizations, and vertically between policies by central
government agencies including policy for infrastructure and education and policy in Värmland.
Case of Värmland as such seems suggestive to think about RIS and the part of region
government on the points as follows.
First it indicates the possibility of that the type of innovation which responds to the need of
user through synthesizing and applying existing technology become base of competitiveness
and that, as a result of development of information technology, industry locates peripheral area
realizes such kind of innovation.
Second it shows importance of RIS with university/research institution and network of
companies for its core and connection with national and global actors.
Third it shows that it’s possible for regional government, in the situation local industry
strengthens direct connection with global economic actors following to economic globalization,
to pursue its part to make RIS function through, given diversity of areas within the region,
region wide coordination.
[Content]
Introduction Regional government and Innovation in Global age
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Section1. Regional Innovation System and regional government
Section2. Development of policy relates to Innovation and region
Section3. RIS and RUP in Värmland
Section4. Regional innovation system and region government
Introduction Regional government and Innovation in Global age
In Sweden today region has become one of focus points to strengthen economic
competitiveness and it’s been under examination nationwide formalization of regional
government and redistribution of authority of central government. Starting point to consider the
part played by regional government and local economic policy to be pursued is the fact that
economic globalization has brought about the situation each local area faces directly or
integrated into global wide economic activity. Each company constitutes part of global wide
business relation and network on one hand, and strengthening competitiveness through utilizing
network and research institution etc. in the area locates on the other hand. In such situation it’s
become necessary for local policy to prepare and consolidate local economic base to keep its
position in global economy.
This paper argues the role of regional government in Sweden focusing on its relation with the
system to promote innovation of regional industry (hereafter RIS: Regional Innovation System)
aiming to make it clear the part of regional government under economic globalization from
functional side. Structure of each section is as follows. Section one examines arguments on RIS
keeping in mind relation with the part of regional government. Section two outlines state of
change of policy in Sweden under economic globalization paying attention to innovation policy
and region. Section three argues, focused on Värmland, restructuring of regional economy under
economic globalization, function of RIS and the part of Region Värmland. Section four
summarizes the part of RIS and regional government.
Section2. Regional Innovation System and regional government
It’s been stressed in EU countries including Sweden to promote innovation of economic
activity on the whole premising “Transition toward knowledge economy” as focus point to
strengthen competitiveness. What’s influenced on such policy from theoretic side (Landabasoet
al., 1999) is the argument puts importance on the part of national system which promotes
innovation (hereafter ‘innovation system’). That innovation system has been stressed as policy
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by government dates back to 19th century in Germany when F. List has argued intending to raise
the quality of economic activity on the whole to catch up industry in UK. Theoretic argument on
innovation system today has been proposed confronting to the policy which intends to realize
competitiveness through lowering wage level (Lundvall, 2007).
Starting point of the argument, stresses the part of government to strengthen competitiveness
in knowledge economy, is to put importance on learning as a process to acquire knowledge
presuming that in contemporary economy, under rapid progress of technique, what’s most
important resource is knowledge (Lundvall, 2010a). What’s important, relating to regional
government, on the argument of innovation system, and regional innovation system as a part of
it, is as follows.
First it understands innovation not only as development of cutting edge new product but as
improvement of economic activity on the whole. Innovation can be classified as a direct result
of cutting edge research and also as a result of synthesis and application of existing knowledge
and technique. The system which supports innovation includes not only research institutions
with special competence but also educational institution including one for reeducation of
workers to raise competence to adapt new technology and social infrastructure including one to
support labor market policy etc. Moreover deemed important equally is to acquire
knowledge/information through network on the ground that, under the situation each company
specializes in each special area, information exchange through networking among companies
and users becomes indispensable to realize innovation avoiding risk follows inevitably to new
development (Lundvall, 2010b). Arguments of innovation system as such have sifted focus
point of innovation from R&D to learning process and of industrial policy from science and
technology policy to innovation policy (Lundvall, 2007., Som, 2012).
Second is the point of argument to understand that region becomes one of focus points of
economic activity as important side-effect of economic globalization (Isaksen, 2001). What’s
necessary to pay attention is that economic globalization effects through various routes to
dynamics of regional economy. Economic globalization and rapid progress of information
technology, while damage existing suppliers, provide new market to companies in dynamic
region through accelerating worldwide procurement based on low cost and comparative
advantage and also through dismantling fixed business relation. The situation in which emerges
as a result, for example, small company in peripheral area acquires market abroad and becomes
base of production of specialized parts in national and global wide value chain. In such trend
regional atmosphere which nurture innovative company becomes focus point and innovative
cluster formed there raises its position as connecting point in globalized production network.
Third is arguments which put importance on RIS. Characteristics of the arguments is to put
importance on institution and policy, based on region including institutions for research and
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development and vocational training, in other word on intervention by policy to accelerate
cooperation and promote capacity to innovate as well as acquisition of knowledge through
learning and competence development (Asheim, 2011). What’s important for company and
local industry to be innovative and competitive is ability of people, organizations, network and
local society to learn which makes it possible to adapt to introduction of new technique and
rapid change of needs of market. Those will realize competitiveness by absorbing high
technology and information through worldwide network made possible by development of
information technology. In such meaning “cooperation” has strategic part in knowledge
economy. What’s become necessary is competence development of employees, information
exchange and acquisition of knowledge through network among companies as well as
cooperation between industry and institution for research and development and these will
become effective by existence of social capital, stable manager-employee relation and
cooperation between government and private sector (Asheim, 2011).
Fourth is the argument on structure of RIS as the point indispensable to establish RIS through
policy of government. There is argument which considers structure of innovation system paying
attention both to core part of the system as research institution, institution for competence
development and network of companies, and to kind of environment of the system as institution
for education, labor market policy, financial market and welfare (Lundvall, 2007). And also
there is argument pays attention to function, to accelerate innovation, and to autonomous
sub-systems, which generate such function, as accumulation of companies, institutions for
research and education, intermediary institutions to coordinate both of them and infrastructure
surrounding the area (Koschatzky, 2012).
It can be said, through these arguments, that characteristic of RIS, when paid attention to
functional side, resides on functional synthesis of various factors, as research and education
institution and network of companies, to acquire knowledge and information and to utilize it
taking advantage of unique condition of each region. Keeping mind arguments above, we pay
attention to arguments on RIS following.
First is the argument that the core of economic competitiveness is competence development of
economic actors including working people, and also the fact that the argument has developed as
kind of counterproposal to the pressure to cut wage aiming to be competitive.
Second is its emphasis on institution and policy of government including establishment of
institutions for research and education in which cooperation between government and private
sector is deemed indispensable.
Third is that it puts importance on social and cultural conditions and social capital inherent in
each region as background factor for learning and development of competence as well as on to
combine regional technique with knowledge and information acquired through specialized
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institution and global network.
The argument of RIS, while criticized in part, as being analytic point rather than theoretic
method to plan because of its vagueness of definition, influenced on EU policy. Purpose of this
paper is to argue, assuming RIS as methodological point of view, the policy to accelerate
innovation of regional industry and the role of regional government rather than to pursue
detailed study on RIS. It’s necessary to keep in mind followings to consider RIS in connection
with the role of local government including regional one.
First is that the role of local government is not only support local industry. What’s necessary
for local government to pursue is to position innovation policy as a part of comprehensive
strategy for development of the area. At the same time, in the situation acquisition of knowledge
and competence development become keyword for innovation, policy and projects relate to
cultural environment and social relation, formed historic in the local society, are also important
for innovation policy.
Second is mutual relation between regional government and tiers of governments including
national one. What necessary for regional government based on regional area with various types
of industries is, in the situation regional economy connects directly with EU and global wide
economic activity, to make RIS function both vertical coordination among multi-level
governments from central government to commune and through horizontal coordination among
communes each with unique industry and advantage.
In the following this paper examines the role of regional government on formation and
function of RIS keeping in mind the process of reformation of Swedish policy followed to
globalization and EU-nisation of Swedish economy.
Section2. Development of policy relates to Innovation and region
1. Swedish policy and innovation
This paper understands the situation in which region has gained attention in Sweden as a part
of the process of reorganization of national economic system led by central government
following to economic globalization. What’s suggestive here is the argument on national
economic system to understand it “as intermediate system” which mediates regional economy
with global one under de-unification of national economy following to globalization (Samuta,
2013). This paper understands national economic system as national economic and industrial
structure framed by institutional and political factor of the nation.
In Sweden after Second World War taken central place of welfare state strategy has been the
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policy to secure employment through strengthening competitiveness of growing industry and
keeping market abroad, and so called positive labor market policy, which has made it possible
for employees in industrial section losing competitiveness to have job in growing section
through reeducation, has deemed important. In other word innovation and competence building
of labors had been put on basic point in welfare state policy at the time. In the system, known
also as cooperative system on central level among government, labor and capital, regional
government with general authority had been in real meaning not existence and the authority on
policy on industry and infrastructure had concentrated on central government.
This system has been forced to reexamine under economic globalization, outflow of capital
and affiliation in EU. Background factor of change is globalization of regional economy in
parallel with dis-functioning of policy of government to control economy through financial and
exchange policy. In the situation, regional industry is exposed to imported goods from low wage
countries and strengthens its character as a part of EU wide economic area, and the reform
intends to strengthen competitiveness of region through innovation is ongoing (Tsuchida, 2011).
In this situation it can be said that national economic system of welfare state type in Sweden is
now strengthening its character as “intermediate system” under the situation regional economy
is strengthening its connectivity with global economy.
Innovation strategy in Sweden can be understood with the strategy of EU, originated with Aho
report (European Communities, 2006) and resulted to EU2020, for background. Characteristic
of EU innovation strategy is it aims to execute policies EU wide as to utilize result of cutting
edge research in important industrial sector including bio and to raise mobility of capital and
labor responding to rapidly changing economy as well as to extend investment for R&D to keep
competitiveness in knowledge economy. Characteristic of innovation strategy in Sweden is it
understands that various factors as social capital and education etc. as well as competence
development and information exchange will play important part to promote innovation
assuming innovation as making a new departure in every section of economic activity
(Näringsdepartmentet, 2012). So far been executed in Sweden policies to promote innovation
including increase of investment for R&D, strengthening of cooperation between industry and
research institute, competence development of labor to make it possible to rightly respond to
ever changing technology, development of entrepreneurship through each level of school and
establishment of agency of government (VINOVA) with its mission to promote innovation
which has also executed support for cluster formation (Eklund, 2007). Concerning the policies
as such we can point characteristics bellow. First, under the presumption of moving out of
company and deindustrialization of Swedish economy, stressed cooperation between university
and industry to raise competitiveness through promoting innovation. Second in those policies
the system for vocational education and competence development has been built-in as
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indispensable factor for industrial policy rather than as a part of social security policy. Third is
that region has become focus point of competition strategy. We will see below outline of change
of some areas of policy.
1) University policy
One of uniqueness’s of R&D policy in Sweden is that almost of it is done by university. To
strengthen cooperation between industry and research centered by university, in addition to the
policy to establish university in each area enacted since 1970th, formalized cooperation between
university and regional industry and society in general. Characteristics of the cooperation are as
follows.
First is that it’s been stressed responsibility of university to cooperate with regional industry
and society, and cooperation with local society has even been institutionalized by amendment of
law 1997 1) as the third mission after education and research.
Second is support system for commercialization of result of research and for entrepreneur.
Holding companies have been established in main universities which executed financing for
researchers to start up, and universities have made preparation to respond to commissioned
research from company.
Third is management of university. It’s been institutionalized that board of university consists
of representative of local government, local industry and student, and the board will manage
university in cooperation with rector appointed by minister of education after recommendation
of the board.
2) Vocational education
In Sweden it’s been deemed important, in parallel with to raise the ratio of students to go on to
high education, to respond to the problems including mismatching of employment as lack of
competent worker under high rate of unemployment caused by moving out of companies, and
it’s been estimated to face serious shortage of worker in near future after retirement of after war
generation. With these factors for background executed policy bellow.
First is competence development of labor and nurturing of skilled labor. Yrkeshögskolan has
been institutionalized (2008) through merging education for competence development formerly
executed by company with one executed as a part of education in university, and the institution
to certificate competence of labor officially to raise competence and also mobility of labor is
now in preparation as a part of EU wide policy.
Second is to put importance on vocational education in school. Along with that nurturing of
entrepreneurship has been made as one of educational targets, reformation of gymnasium to
establish vocational education course and kind of institutionalization of Teknikcollege, which
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certificates graduate student of vocational course in addition to formal education of gymnasium,
have been executed.
Third is project for cooperation between industry and education policy in region. The project
Competence Platform by regional government, aims to promote cooperation responding to
regional condition, has been institutionalized to coordinate on one hand demand of company for
workforce and content of skill, and on the other hand the plan of educational institutions
responsible to the demand of labor and student to the content of education.
3) Policy in regional area
Coordination among policies with region as unit has been executed as bellow.
First is to improve transportation infrastructure with region as unit. Swedish transportation
infrastructure plan (2010-2021) 2) has made as its main purpose, presuming region centered by
big city as a base of European wide economic activity, to realize effective transportation system
within region and to strengthen connection of region with main cities in Europe. In parallel, for
region and cooperative organ it’s been given the authority to plan transportation infrastructure in
the region which will be executed by central government. The authority plays important part for
region to raise centripetal power among communes in the region.
Second is commencement of examination to reorganize agencies of central government with
region as unit. It’s been problematized that there are more than 300 agencies each with own
local geographic area. In the proposal of consultative committee 3) it’s been recommended to
make seven regions on the whole Sweden, to reorganize area of local unit of each agency based
on the regional area, to make region as nationwide institution and to give authority to the region
to coordinate among policies of central government agencies.
4) Region and regional government
While local government in Sweden consists of commune as primary government and landsting
as regional government, landsting is equal footing with commune on law and in reality
specialized only on medical care and transportation, and the authority to coordinate policies of
central agencies has been executed by governor put each län as jurisdiction of central
government on regional area. However the authority of governor has not been strong enough to
bind policies of central agencies. As a result of that, it’s been deemed necessary to solve
problem associated with the lack of middle level government, and to make mechanism to
coordinate among policies of agencies, with basic strategy made on regional level, executed
reformation as below.
First region and “cooperative organ”, kind of alliance among communes and landsting, have
been institutionalized and it’s become possible for each area to choose one of them. For region
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and cooperative organ devolved authority, other than one inherited to region from landsting, to
plan transportation infrastructure and make RUP (Regional Utvekling Proglam) 4) and some
other one. Because region and cooperative organ have almost same authority we call both of
them as region and regional government.
Second it’s been made as the important part of region that it makes RUP in cooperation with
communes, business society and organizations related including civil society. For RUP as basic
strategy of the region, assumed to coordinate and synthesis policies of central government
agencies and it’s been made as important part of region to coordinate among policies of
communes and central agencies through drafting RUP.
2. Trend of Swedish policy and Regional innovation system
This paper understand trend of policy above as process of change from welfare-state type
national economic system. Basic background factors are as follows. First, under the advance of
globalization and influence of EU on Swedish economy, each area has strengthened direct
economic connection with EU cities. Second following to dysfunction of economic policy of
central government, for example exchange policy, focus point of competition policy has shifted
to region. Third Swedish governance system has intensified its character, following to affiliation
to EU, as one by multi-level governments from EU and central government to commune
(Tsuchida, 2011). On the other side in the real world it’s become clear problems following.
First that the strategy to focus on region has, after gaining power of alliance government
(2006) led by moderate party negative to establish region, become somewhat vague as strategic
direction. As for example it’s been stressed in university policy to specialize for each university
in the field of study skilful and neglected in reality the policy to cooperate with regional
industry. As a result while local university, having funded by local government and local
industry, deepens cooperation with them, many of famous universities advance specialized
research having funded through cooperation with big company and have no interest to cooperate
with local one 5) .
Second content of RUP, should be basic strategy for regional government to coordinate
policies of sectors, in reality not necessarily has substance possible to say as comprehensive
strategy. According to evaluation of RUPs by Tillväxtverket, government agency, most of RUPs
are either only making abstract target or focusing only on supporting some important industrial
sector and difficult to say as comprehensive development strategy economically as well as
socially (Tillväxtverket, 2011) in part reflecting difficulty to synthesize confronting interests
among communes within the region 6).
Third that it’s difficult for central agencies to plan and propose comprehensive development
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plan focused on region. There is no system among central agencies to coordinate among policies
focused on region, for ex. it’s been said in ministry of industry that it’s difficult to coordinate
with ministry responsible to university to give shape to regional system for cooperation between
university and local industry 7). Difficulty to coordinate among central agencies also shown as
for example in the report summarized the discussion on how to support Competence Platform
project by regional government above mentioned. What’s been said in report, as difficulty for
central agencies, relate to the project, to cooperate to support, is that in the situation, in which
for example certification and funding on Yrkeshögskolan is made by agency responsible based
on estimation of employment of each region, and management of gymnasium, on which
Skolverket is responsible, is under responsibility of commune, there is quite rare the space for
central agencies to execute policy based on uniqueness of each region 8). The difficulty in part
reflects that projects of central agencies are executed based on objectified standard based on
statistical data and with transparency. In Swedish system responsibility to coordinate policies of
central agencies so far has been authority of governor appointed by central government. Under
the situation, in which considered to devolve the authority to coordinate among policies of
central agencies to region, position of region has become important.
It can be said political system in Sweden is under the change with region as unit and it’s
necessary, to make direction clear, to examine bellow. First, under the growing situation local
industry is put under control of global company, to make it clear possibility and strategy for
each region, including one in peripheral area, to keep its own position and advantage utilizing
its unique condition. Second is to make clear strategic direction to establish RIS (Regional
Innovation System) including the part of university and research institution, network of
companies and institution for vocational education etc. Third is to make clear the part of
regional government as coordinator to establish RIS and to make it function as a part of
comprehensive strategy to develop the region. We will examine these based on the case in
Värmland.
Section3. RIS and RUP in Värmland
This section examines, to argue the role of regional government and RIS in concrete, the case
of packing and printing industry in Värmland (16 communes, population 270,000) including
economic and social characteristics formed in the area historically. The reason we examine on
the industry in Värmland is as follows.
First is economic and technological uniqueness of packing and printing industry. It’s necessary
for packaging, as contact point between consumer and product, power to appeal through design
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and artistic character and moreover it’s also necessary to consider cost of materials and effect on
logistics (Coles, 2011). On this point it can be said packaging and printing industry is a typical
industry in which innovation becomes key point of competitiveness on the ground that it
requires to collect information, regarding to various and rapid changing science and technology
including new raw materials and needs of user, and also to develop competence of worker.
Second that Värmland, placed peripheral area distant from big city area, has national base of
packing and printing industry. The important reason is that utilization of information and
communication technology has made it possible information exchange with user in the distance
making the industry a kind of model of local industry in information age.
Third that in Värmland, with population less than 300 thousands, cooperative organ (hereafter
RV: Region Värmland) has been established and played important part to establish RIS, and that
the policy to become region with present geographic area is recognized in common in political
world in Värmland. Basic reason 9) is that it’s advantageous to be independent authoritative
body to execute policy suitable to unique condition of the area, this makes Värmland good
example to consider the part of regional government to be played based on condition/advantage
of its area.
In this section below we will consider industrial structure of Värmland and function of RIS
there through examining cooperation among network of packing and printing industry,
university and RV and also the case of cluster of graphic printing industry, and based on these
make it clear characteristics of packing and printing industry in Värmland,function and
structure of RIS there and the role of RV.
1. History and economic and social structure of Värmland
Värmland locates central/southern part of Sweden and adjacent to border with Norway and has
people commuting to Oslo and also investment by Norwegian capital. Other than Karlstad as
central city with population 100 thousands 15 communes there are small in population and some
of which have damaged by removal of big manufacturer. On the other hand there is also area,
reflecting history there with prosperous iron industry, which has headquarter and production
section of iron and machine company with subsidiary worldwide symbolizing that local industry
there has direct connection with national and global economy and that Värmland is the area with
both diversity and commonality. Table 1 shows trend of management and number of employees
in main industrial sector in Värmland. The table shows growth of tourism and corporate service
industry and big growth of per employee added value in paper and pulp industry which includs
paper packaging industry as well as big effect of world financial crisis 2008. On the whole this
shows trend of transformation from production of raw material to production inclined to added
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value as well as to service economy.
Uniqueness of Värmland Seen from the process of economic development is as follows.
First is its location with natural resource and benefit of transportation. In Värmland, locates on
north bank of Lake Värnen main axis of transportation, mining and forest industry have
developed since medieval age. The feature is that, while located interior of the country, taking
advantage of terrain blessed with waterways export to outside the country including United
Kingdom has been striving. At the same time that dispersed ironworks have located, with
background such as that ironwork requires more fuel, resulted in various industries such as
development of the pulp, machinery and lumbering industry in the form distributed all over the
region (Kåpe, 2006).
Secondly industrial structure there has converted, inter alia from 1970th from the pulp and iron
Table 1 State of main industrial sector in Värmland (1000sek、people)
2001 2004 2007 2008 2009 2010
*Iron &
machine
Value-added 3940742 4025882 6391670 6303666 2160618 3964963
turnover 16559511 16407882 26832999 29293372 19415025 17803681
employee 8055 8390 9624 10099 8740 6359
**Paper
& pulp
Value-added 3070130 2622317 2665227 2707402 2953542 3419346
turnover 9871048 11121764 11016649 13064413 12922493 13262867
employee 3344 3735 3339 3209 3036 2919
Corporate
service
Value-added 839363 1406632 2178610 2027838 1893324 1676813
turnover 2284519 3019844 4171681 4490025 4241457 3443032
employee 2279 3459 4203 4631 4129 3540
Tourism Value-added 354449 465862 676567 779795 736302 649106
turnover 1156211 1476009 2122885 2402699 2380862 1980434
employee 1263 1491 1904 2205 2160 1742
***IT &
Telecom
Value-added 1130147 1489199 1814306 1828691 1279341 1612097
turnover 3606531 4290415 5948897 6786487 6509651 3860724
employee 2765 2629 2818 3036 2943 2040
* Decrease in 2009 caused mainly by management crisis of subsidiary of Volvo automobile.
** Includes paper-packaging industry
*** Includes production of electronic apparatus and data processing
Source: Region Värmland ”Studie av näringslivets tillväxt och konkurrenskraft i Värmland
- enligt Simplermetoden”, 2011, by author
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and steel industries, characterized by mass production and use of resources, to final
market-oriented or high value-added industries including paper, packaging, machinery and IT.
Further, inter alia during the 1990s increased entrepreneurship through spinoff of technicians in
parallel with that large companies such as steel and paper industry have entered under the
umbrella of the foreign one. Eventually business relationship in Värmland, once regarded as
model of company town(Bruksorter)based on heavy industry, has become one which includes
networked business relations (Sandström, 2010).
Thirdly, in parallel with restructuring as such, enterprise network or so called cluster (hereafter
“cluster”)formation has been carried out, in responding to appeal by Karlstad University
(hereafter KU) and RV etc. through cooperation among research institutions and tiers of
government. In the process that big companies, which have become global business, still
utilized Värmland ccontinuously as base for product development and played for cluster
formation can be said as one of characteristics of Värmland (Sandström, 2010).
Fourth is that the conversion of the regional industrial structure has advanced in parallel with
the institutionalization of vocational education on national level. On this point it can be said that,
in the estimation of retirement of workers after world war second generation, projects intend to
keep skilled labor and to raise competence of labor have become important challenge for cluster.
On the whole industry in Värmland including packaging industry is now changing its structure
to a base of product development and production connected directly with market.
2. Cluster formation in Värmland
Here we will examine RIS of printing and packaging industry in Värmland. The industry has
been formed with background factors including, joint project by KU with the industry including
product development and technical support, cluster formation proposed by commune and RV,
establishment of institution for vocational education and also the fact that big companies in
paper and pulp industry have intended to diversify product, promoted startup of employees and
given technical support to small company. We will examine below the function of cluster, KU
and RV institutions which play central part for innovation of printing and packaging industry.
1) TPP: The Paper Province 10)
The Paper Province (TPP: 80 companies about 8600 employees) is network organization of
paper and pulp industry in Värmland and surrounding areas. TPP, originally co-established by
big companies for in-house education and extended to include small companies, has been
established in 2000 as an organization for vocational education and recruitment of employees
co-founded by Värmland län, communes and companies. Business and features of TPP are as
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follows.
First is implementation of vocational education and management of test facility. TPP executes,
through company owned 100% by TPP, test and research and various types of vocational
education utilizing test facility taken over in 2004 from Metso Corporation, leading company of
paper industry, with one sek following to moving out of production base of the company to
Finland. In reality it can be said that for Metso TPP is a kind of branch to coordinate and
cooperate with related companies in Värmland. The test facility plays important part in
executing joint development of packaging and packaging materials with corporate customers
(e.g. beverage manufacturers) on which KU and big business research laboratories also involved.
Moreover becoming out-of-date of the machine it’s now under consideration among companies
after proposition by TPP to lent laboratories of companies each other on hour base to raise
overall environment there for research and to make it possible, to appeal Värmland to attract
investment as a place advantageous for product development on which companies are on the
whole positive.
Second is implementation of projects subsidized by EU, governmental agencies and local
governments. This contains following projects.
* KOM-INN : Project for employee recruitment and vocational education founded by
VINNOVA, RV and KU and participated also by cluster of other industry in Värmland.
* The Energy Square: Joint project, by RV, Värmland län, KU and Chinese Research Institute
of Pulp and Paper, conducts cooperative project such as the development of energy-efficient
paper products participated also by related companies. Main subject of the project, once focused
on pulp and paper industry, is directing now to one, with forest as starting point, focused on
product development related from bio to utilization of pulp, logistic, nanotechnology and
energy.
* Tillväxtkontoret (Development Office): Project, operates under support by RV, KU and four
communes, intends to realize innovation through connecting product development by small and
medium sized enterprises with research institutes.
TPP is involved multi-facedly in product development executed by institutes of KU as network
of paper and pulp industry and plays a major part to strengthen connection among pulp and
paper industry, university and research institutes and government and communes. On the
relation between small and big companies, it’s been said, information exchange and cooperation
are deepening through for example big company dispatch technocratic instructor to small one
and big one have idea of small one.
2) TPA (The Packaging Arena) 11)
TPA (The Packaging Arena) is a network organization of packaging-related companies, such
15
as machinery and paper, and related companies such as food industry which utilizes packaging.
With consumer-oriented feature of packaging industry for background joint projects for product
development, by various types of industries centered on the needs of end-user, have been
enacted. Characteristics of TPA are as follows.
First is the course to inauguration. Basic background of inauguration of TPA is that, following
to inauguration of TPP and establishment of the institute for development of packaging by RV
and KU, it has become common understanding, among parties relate to paper industry, that
industry in Värmland has advantage on packaging technology and design. This understanding
had also been affected by the sense of necessity to differentiate from paper related industry in
Finland which holds the premier of global value chains related to forestry industry. TPA has
inaugurated in the year 2004 with financial aid of TPP, Värmland län, RV, KU, government
agency and some others. What’s been made common strategy, among parties involved in the
inauguration of TPA, is a cluster model which corresponds to user demand through partnership
between parties in Värmland including on one hand industries locate on each level of packaging
related industries from paper mills to design and printing business, and on the other hand
research institutes in KU specialized in each area of service, marketing and data processing
respectively.
Second is business concept. TPA, participated by 56 companies including consumer goods
manufacturers and manufacturer of packaging machinery from European wide areas, plays its
part as meeting place for packaging related industries in Värmland and related industries
including users in European wide area. TPA performs various types of projects including
mutual exchange of information among packaging related industries, through for example
seminar participated by people relate to packaging industry Scandinavian wide, and joint
product development of vessel of beverage and cosmetics with new raw material and design etc.
by companies related including user company. Member companies gain information and
business partner for product development through TPA as for example TPA has connection in
Japan with Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd and Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd and has held packaging
related seminar in Tokyo made it possible for TPA to give advice to company intends to have
business in Japan.
Third is business concept of TPA. Business model of TPA is named Value Star (Christensen,
2005) contrasting with global value chain model showing purpose of TPA to implement joint
development and commercialization by related companies surrounding demand of users as food
and beverage producers from paper manufacturing technology, design and printing to even
logistic companies as seen in figure 1. Outer ling of figure 1 can also be thought as a kind of
value chain and the reason TPA can position itself as hinge of the ling is, it’s been said, its
ability to coordinate. The advantage of TPA is the possibility to cooperate with paper industry,
16
KU and also graphic industry on which we will see later, and TPA keeps its position as
connecting point of information exchange through its ability to coordinate backed by network as
such. This point reflects that for packaging industry, which necessitates perpetual product
development, collection of information from wide range of business world and research
institutions related plays important part.
Fourth is the mutual relation between TPA and big paper company. Because for the big
companies, moved out their headquarters abroad, TPA is kind of information source to think
about management strategy to diversify its range of products, they usually keep close contact
with TPA ever since its inauguration. TPA on the other hand raises its importance as connecting
point for information exchange indispensable for innovation through connection with wide
range of packaging related companies.
On finance of TPA subsidy, from Central Government agencies, local governments and EU to
promote cluster formation, accounts 80% of its income and public aid as such has become
background factor of support services by TPA to SMEs. In this regard TPA is also typical
example of regional industrial policy of government focused on cluster formation.
3) Karlstad University (KU)
KU can be said as the university established with regional development strategy of central
government, with university for its clue, for background. Predecessor of KU is nursing school
established in 19th century and, after the establishment as a branch of the University of
Gothenburg, departed 1970th as a college and since then through making cooperation with local
Needs of User
Logistic
Design
Paper production
technology
Graphic technology
Industrial IT
Market research
Figure1 Value Star (Christensen2005)
17
governments and industry in Värmland to be full-fledged university launched again 2000 as
university. KU occupies an important position in many industrial clusters in Värmland and, as
one of reasons, KU as a university open to world, it’s been said, has connections with the
world's experts (Region Värmland, 2006). KU, with approximately 10,000 students, has
advanced joint ventures with industry and provincial governments as follows.
First is establishment and management of research institutions and support system for various
entrepreneurs. Basic idea inter alia is to connect the meeting place of ideas, from businesses and
public agencies as well as the university, with basic enterprise support system such as incubator
and further to support growth as the company (Region Värmland, 2006). For this purpose been
established in KU, in cooperation with local governments and industry, research institutions
with cross-sector research areas and conscious on cooperation with business activities, for
example Region Development Research Center and Center for Service Sector Research and so
on. Also established various types of institutions including one which engages mainly in design
technology development and one engages in exchange of information with related industry and
education project established as a joint venture with Swedish Industrial Design Foundation.
Second is execution of research/development project and establishment of organization
necessary based on agreement between RV and KU. KU and RV have made joint statement
2010 on promotion of joint research from 2010 to 2014 12). This statement, made in
co-operation with industrial clusters including TPP, has revealed its aim to strengthen research
on core area including efficient use of energy and manufacturing and packaging technology, to
execute more than 20 joint projects, to make number of enterprises participate in joint project
more than 50 and also additional adoption of 10 full-time professors and 15 researchers to
realize these purposes. Moreover on financial support, presuming subsidy 10 milion sek per
year from other organizations including EU, RV will subsidize the same amount. To oversee the
progress of these projects also decided to establish joint group for direction.
Thirdly KU performs, through partnership with TPP and so on, projects including technical
assistance to individual enterprises and joint research and development and plays its part as a
cornerstone of innovation system in Värmland. In which the company (Karlstads universitets
uppdrags AB) owned 100% by KU plans and executes various types of educational courses,
through cooperation with either individual company or chamber of commerce and industry,
including course for training of assistant of dentist, development of tissue paper from raw
material to improvement of quality of paper and education for teachers nationwide after contract
with Skolverket, with turnover on the whole amounts to 38milion sek 2012. Because those
courses, as courses executed by university, are subject of certification of skill and competence
by formal institution, individual participants of courses also have advantage13).
18
4444) RV (Region Värmland)
Main part of RV is to intermediate policies among communes and between Värmland and
central agencies including below;
First is authority to plan infrastructure within Värmland. RV has been devolved from central
government authorities including to make transportation infrastructure plan and RUP (Regional
Development Program). In which, for transportation infrastructure plan in Värmland allocated
1,4bsek in Swedish transportation infrastructure plan (2010~2021).
Second is to organize network in each industrial sector and to coordinate between industry and
educational institution including university. In Värmland today there are, other than TPP and
cluster of paper and packaging industry, IT concerned clusters (Compare, 100 companies) and
cluster of iron and steel and machinery industry (Stål och Verkstad, 80 companies) and it’s been
deemed basic policy to strengthen collaboration among university, government and these
clusters as well as to expand industry-specific networking in industry such as tourism. RV has
its seat in the board of KU and has some influence. For Technique College, run by gymnasium,
more than 100 collaborating companies support through providing facilities for practical
training and RV plays its part as coordinator among them.
Third is the part to coordinate among EU subsidized projects, central agencies and private
sector with RUP for base. RUP, drawn up by RV, has its meaning as strategic program drawn
jointly by communes, government agencies, business world and wide range of organizations
including organization of citizens in Värmland. Värmland RUP (Region Värmland 2008) drawn
2008 as a program from 2009 to 2013 enumerates as major goal "education and faculty
development", "life-cultural environment", " improvement of interregional and international
access in Värmland" and "creative environment to development". It’s been said these condition
each other and support development of Värmland.
Industrial structure in Värmland is going ahead from pulp and paper to be diversified one.
Point of the strategy is to share wide range of information through network formation among
companies, cooperation between KU and companies and competence development of workers.
3. Regional industrial system and companies in Sunne
1) Flexografi industry in Sunne
Packaging graphics-printing (Flexografi) industrial cluster in Värmland has its heart in Sunne
locates northern-central area of Värmland. Flexografi is high technology in package printing
industry and Sunne is one of bases of Flexografi industry side by side with one in Skåne.
Feature of the cluster is that institution for vocational training (Broby Grafisca Utbildning,
19
hereafter “Broby School”: with yrkeshögskolan 175 students) has been the linchpin of cluster
formation. Broby School runs yrkeshögskolan with high-tech facility of Flexografi and so on in
a body with Sweflex national organization of Flexografi industry with 120 companies and
organizations.
Working population of Flexografi in Sunne has increased in parallel with extension of business
of Broby School from 200 in 1993 when Broby School started to 700 in 2012 14). The
background of Broby School is as follows. In Sunne, since the end of 1920th, located packaging
printing companies and, through the spin-off of the workers, gradually increased the number of
companies. Faced with nationwide economic crisis and structural change of printing industry
and technology of printing in early 1990th it’s started vocational education, after the appeal of
Arbetsförmedlingen in Värmland, in gymnasium of the commune of Sunne to secure
employment of workers of printing company bankrupted. Also parallel to this, been established
the team to inquire establishment of regular course of graphic techniques by the commune,
printing industries and KU which resulted in establishment of the course 1992 by the commune
of Sunne (Rydin, 2007). The decision by the commune had also been affected by the fact Tetra
Pak, leading packaging industry, had decided to set up its own printing plant in Sunne.
Thereafter the project has expanded through collaboration with KU and printing industry as
follows.
Frist is cooperation with company in Sunne. Companies of Flexografi in Sunne produces plate
for printing and send to printing company out of Sunne to print. It’s important for company in
Sunne, engages in production of plate, to check plate before send it to printing company and
Broby School lends out latest printing facility as well as photograph studio for companies.
Broby School plays its part as a base of competence development of workers and product
development through various types of out-sourced training, renting of facility and development
of new product by member company of Sweflex etc. That trainees engage in development of
new product is advantageous also for company to have reliable work force. Broby School and
Sweflex engage jointly marketing and for ex. having order from apple-growing district in Japan
to develop package for apple.
Second is vocational education. Broby Scholl runs, having permission as yrkeshögskolan,
packaging and graphics-printing related courses. The course aims to master series of process
from planning of design to final product, and in the course test machines have important part to
check idea and real image of product. One of key features of the vocational education here is
close partnerships with local companies especially through that teachers of Broby School
exchange their post in the company every several years to make sure state of production site is
reflected in the course of education. The school also provides to trainee opportunity to have
practice in European companies including Germany and United Kingdom and implements joint
20
product development and exchange of teachers with schools in France and Italy.
Third Broby School plays its part as the secretariat of SweFlex. SweFlex, established side by
side with Broby School, mainly engage in information exchange between company and research
institution. SFIAB, company owned by the commune of Sunne 60% and SweFlex 40 %
respectively, has been established and principal of Broby School becomes president of it.
SFIAB plays its part as an agent to prepare facility of Broby School having EU grant and
donation from national fond, and in the process, to have subsidy from public institution,
cooperation with RV is deemed important.
2) State of packaging companies in Sunne 15)
Flexopartner AB (Plate production company, nine employees)
“On the process of our work at first we have order through contract between user like food
company and design company or directly based on the plan on packaging design made between
user company and us. We make sample, determine content of product with user and send plate
to print company which deliver final product to user. While in the process it’s necessary to
coordinate with print company, it’s easy by internet and no problem for us to be in Sunne rather
advantageous to keep skilled workforce through and utilise test machine, to check sample, of
Broby School.”
Tetra Pack Sunne factory (Package production, 300 employees)
“Tetra Pack has two factories in Värmland specialized for paper as raw material and for
package respectively. This factory engage in production of package and distribute to whole
European area by track. Because we locate adjacent to raw material it’s possible to lower
transportation cost after processing. We engage from printing to final product and whole
operation is automation controlled by computer. We make effort to be efficient through activity
of QC circle and have many after graduates and trainees of Broby School.”
Prime Blade AB (Production of parts of Flexografi, 19 employees)
“This company has been established 2010 by four specialists each of technology and
management. One of founders in charge of technique has had experience, after spin-off from
iron and machine maker in Värmland, as entrepreneur from production of non-broken knife to
metallic parts of tissue paper which utilized for this company. Our company is specialised for
production and distribution of Doctor-blade, parts of Flexografi to control amount of injection
of ink by pressing plate and paper, and with acquiring patent sales volume is rising rapidly.
Advantage of our product is that, while hitherto used one coated on surface of metal, without
coating by applying nano-technique which made it possible to drift paper smoothly. To raise our
21
technique we engage joint research with SKF and Chalmers University in which especially with
SKF we share purpose of development on making surface of metal slippery. We have sales
agent in nine countries on which, utilising connection of one of founders who had been manager
of company Miller Graphics in Sunne, got some of subsidiaries abroad of the company to be
agent. While distant from big city Sunne has no problem for us as production site even for
export to world countries.”
Miller Graphics Scandinavia (Production of plate, 20 employees)
“Miller group has five groups of company including marine transportation and our company is
one of companies of printing group. Group of printing company is now expanding business in
areas including countries in Europe and Morocco through acquisition of company on the spot.
To raise technique of whole group we have technique team on group level and person in charge
in each company. On the process of our work, at first we have order through design company or
directly from user company and we produce sample and model of product and send to print
company. We also sometimes make use of test facility in Broby School to test trial piece.”
3) Characteristics of Flexografi industry in Sunne
Suune has, as area accumulated by small scale companies engage in Flexografi and centered
by Broby School, characteristics below.
First main business of company is product development responding to various needs relate to
package printing of mainly food related companies. In which that in packaging industry
development of printing technique and design is needed without interruption has become
background for application type innovation to have important part.
Second is that accumulation of industry in Sunne locates distant from big market. Technical
background made it possible is that cooperation with client in great distance has become easy by
development of IT technology and technical characteristic of Flexografi.
Third that Broby School plays its part, under daily contact with company related, as base for
the industry. The School provides test machine indispensable for new product as well as secures
work force through training excellent operator. Moreover the School has, along with connection
with KU, close connection with institutions and organizations in Värmland including that
person in charge of development of the School is former director general of TPA.
4. Characteristic of Värmland model and structure of Regional Innovation System
Characteristics of packaging and printing industry in Värmland are as follows. First many of
big companies, while moved out headquarter abroad, implement in Värmland product
22
development responding to need of user in cooperation with company there. Second each
company, while extends own network in national and world scale, utilizes accumulation of
companies and infrastructure including university for product development through application
of existing technique and production. Third packaging and printing industry in Värmland on the
whole has become base of applied product development responding to the need of final user
including food industry. As institution and factor made possible these we can point below;
First is the system which supports mainly small and medium size companies. Institutions as
TPP and Broby School play their part including support for product and technological
development, recruit of worker and test of product etc.
Second is existence of network organization like TPA. Characteristics of networks are that
they not only coordinate information exchange and joint development among various companies
in Värmland but also provide opportunity for information exchange and joint development with
users through European and world scale network.
Third is the system which supports vocational education and competence development.
Education and training by 18 yrkeshögskolan and 12 teknikcollege in Värmland, as well as
educational institutions including KU and gymnasiums, play important part to promote
TPA
KUKUKUKU
TPPTPPTPPTPP
Broby Graphic
R&D network
Applied research,
Technology support,
Technology education
Paper production/packaging
network
Vocational education,
Co-development, test
Graphics printing network
Vocational education,
Skill training
Applied development
Figure 2 Regional networks in Värmland
National network
Packaging related network
World academic network
23
innovation.
Fourth is network for applied research and development with KU as center. KU plays its part
as cornerstone of application/improvement type innovation in Värmland and supports research
and product development in cooperation with cluster as TPP and yrkeshögskolan.
The system to support innovation in packaging and printing industry in Värmland functions
through reciprocal action among applied research with university as center, vocational education
and network connecting company and user, and Värmland is now in the process to have its
position as base for innovation of the industry. Structure of network relates to packaging and
printing industry can summarize as Figure 2. Characteristic of it is that each network and
company, while having connection with national and world actors, make regional innovation
system function with mutual trust among companies and distinctive historic and social feature
of the area for background. In which RV has important part, to make regional innovation system
function, including to lead cluster formation and to coordinate between KU and clusters.
Section4. Regional innovation system and region government
In Sweden today, which realized economic development through restructuring of industry and
competence development of workers, innovation in all areas of economic activity is put on
central place of the competition strategy under progress of economic globalization and IT. On
the other side regional industrial structure has deepened its character as accumulation of
companies each of which acts its business through connection with national and global
economic actor under the progress of globalization and incorporation into EU economic sphere
of regional economy. This change has made it necessary, for regional economy to be stable, to
establish the system possible to utilize both indigenous advantage of the region and new
technique and information. In such situation it’s become necessary for regional government to
play its part as pivot to connect on one hand indigenous condition of local industry and
economy, and on the other hand nationwide policy for infrastructure and education etc. and to
make it clear mutual relation between central agency and regional government.
The case in Värmland, while specific one and difficult to generalize, gives suggestion below
on the subject 16).
First is that packaging and printing industry in Värmland is going ahead, despite its location, to
be area accumulated by companies with worldwide business activity. Background factor of it is
that companies there execute innovation responding to ever changing market need through daily
information exchange with user and business connections distant from them made possible by
development of information technology. In that sense the industry shows that such type of
24
innovation, as to respond to the need of market through application and synthesizing of existing
technology, could be source of competitiveness and the possibility for industry in peripheral
area to have advantage.
Second it shows importance of RIS under accelerating globalization of regional economy. In
Värmland institutions including KU and organizations public and private play key part for
packaging and printing industry there to execute innovation, and each company extends its
business nationally and worldwide through taking advantage of the result of innovation.
Third that RIS in Värmland has peculiarity as a system which has unified, with innovation as
focus point, functions of university, network organizations and so on each has its own strategy.
That whole system, RV coordinates, shows the part to be played by regional government as
coordinating institution to make RIS function based on concrete vision.
Based on above the part of regional government as keystone to make RIS function can be
summarized below;
First is to make RIS function through coordination presuming diversity of areas within the
region. It’s suggestive that within Värmland multi-polarization is in progress, as seen in Sunne
where industry in small area has gained its own status and strategy, and that RV plays its part as
regional coordination system presuming diversity of areas within Värmland.
Second the role to prepare RIS and make it function as a part of overall vision and policy
aiming comprehensive development of the region.
Third is its part as main connecting point within governance system by multi-level
governments. Regional government plays its part as connecting point both of horizontal network
among communes and between commune and social economic organizations, and of vertical
network between on one hand policies including education and infrastructure by agencies of
central government, and on the other hand economic and political actors in the region.
Note
1) Regeringens proposition 1996/97: 141, Högskolans ledning, lärare och organisation.
2) Prop. 2008/09:35 Framtidens resor och transporter
3) SOU 2012:81 Statens regionala förvaltning–förslag till en angelägen reform
Slutbetänkande av Utredningen om den statliga regionala förvaltningen、Stockholm 2012
4) Förordningen (SFS 2007:713) om regionalt tillväxtarbete (11§)
5) My interview with Joakim Palestro (Universitetskanslersämbetet) 21st Aug 2013
6) My interview with Frida Andersson (Tillväxtverket) 21st Mar 2013
7) My interview with Sverker Lindblad (Närings department) 31st Aug 2011
8) Myndigheten för yrkeshögskolan 2012 Dnr: YH 2010/348 Myndighetssamverkan inom
kompetensförsörjningsområdet 2012-04-23
25
9) My interview with Catarina Segersten Larsson RV executive committee 11th Mar 2013
10) This part owes on my interview with Maria Hollander (VD, TPP) 13th Mar 2013 and other
materials of TPP
11) This part owes on my interview with Sandra Eriksson (VD, TPA) 16th Aug 2013 and other
materials of TPA other than specific note
12) Region Värmland, 2010, “Avsiktsförklaring om forskningssamarbete mellan Region
Värmland och Karlstad universitet åren 2010-2014”
13) My interview with Martin Sundqvist (VD, Karlstads universitets uppdrags AB) 11th Mar
2013 and other materials of the company
14) On Broby School owes on my interview with Per Branzén(Development manager, Broby
School) and Göran Dahl (Chairman, Swedish Flexography Association) 11th and 12th Mar
2013 and other materials of the school other than specific note
15) On companies below owes my interview in 12th Mar 2013
16) However that local industry engages in global business activity is not rare case restricted
only in Värmland, see (Tsuchida 2011)
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