Bioeconomy Innovation Networks in Urban Regions: The Case of Stuttgart

Lea F. Stöber (), Marius Boesino, Andreas Pyka and Franziska Schuenemann
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Lea F. Stöber: Department of Innovation Economics (520i), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Marius Boesino: Department of Bioeconomy (520m), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Franziska Schuenemann: Department of Bioeconomy (520m), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: For a successful transformation towards a sustainable bioeconomy, cooperative knowledge creation leading to innovations through research at the company and academic level are important. Urban regions are the centre of economic and research activities. The example of the region of Stuttgart, which aims to complement its mature industrial structure with new opportunities related to the knowledge-based bioeconomy, is an interesting case for the application of social network analysis to shed light on the dynamics of innovation networks to support the transformation of urban regions. As with smaller spatial levels of observation connectivity in network decreases, we find a scale-free network structure for the supra-regional network and a star-like network structure for the regional network, with two universities and one transfer-oriented research institutes at the core. While research collaborations beyond regional borders and across different industries foster knowledge co-creation, the central actors can be recognized as gatekeepers who dominantly influence knowledge flows. To potentially strengthen the resilience of the network, policy and industry associations serving as network facilitators can foster collaboration between periphery actors. The case of the Stuttgart region impressively illustrates the opportunities of the knowledge-based bioeconomy for urban regions and the complementary role traditional manufacturing sectors can take in the transformation towards higher degrees of sustainability.

Keywords: sustainable bioeconomy; urban bioeconomy; urban areas; industrialized regions; innovation networks; research collaboration; knowledge co-creation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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