Strengthening the Role of Academic Institutions and Innovation Brokers in Agri-Food Innovation: Towards Hybridisation in Cross-Border Cooperation

Marina Knickel, Sabine Neuberger, Laurens Klerkx, Karlheinz Knickel, Gianluca Brunori and Helmut Saatkamp
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Marina Knickel: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Sabine Neuberger: Business Economics Group, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
Laurens Klerkx: Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
Karlheinz Knickel: HELSUS—Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
Gianluca Brunori: Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Helmut Saatkamp: Business Economics Group, Wageningen University, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-22

Abstract: Existing research suggests that regions can develop their long-term competitive advantage through well-functioning interregional innovation cooperation. In this article, we use the example of innovation in small and medium-sized agri-food enterprises (SMEs) to scrutinise and compare regional innovation approaches on each side of the Dutch-German border and explore how they can converge into a cross-border innovation space. Particular attention is paid to the role of academic institutions and innovation brokers in creating a common innovation space. We explore how differences between two cross-border regions can be harnessed to enhance the impact of innovation, and how this may lead to what we describe as hybridisation effects. In the empirical analysis, we apply the concept of hybridisation to a cross-border innovation space, something that, as far as we are aware, has not been done before. We empirically ground the concepts of a cross-border innovation space and hybridisation and illustrate how relative regional strengths can lead to hybridisation effects. We conclude that differences in economic structures, institutional set-ups, visions and identities inherent in cross-border spaces are not only hindrances, but also opportunities, and we highlight the importance of these complementary strengths and the potential for their strategic use by regional innovation actors. Our findings are highly relevant for the further development of the Interreg Europe programme and the implementation of the EU’s Territorial Agenda 2030.

Keywords: proximity; academic institutions; innovation brokers; agri-food; innovation space; hybridisation; SMEs; cross-border; Interreg; Euregio Rhein-Waal (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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