MARTE FANNELØB GISKEØDEGÅRD NTNU i Ålesund/Møreforsking Ålesund AS BJØRN GUVÅGHøgskolen i Molde/ Møreforsking Molde AS SAMMENDRAG Artikkelen bruker dimensjoner av naerhet som analytisk verktøy for å forstå hvordan strukturelle endringer i maritim bransje påvirker innovasjonsarbeidet. Tilgang til problemdefinisjon blir identifisert som viktig for å drive innovasjonsarbeid. Artikkelen drøfter betydningen av endringer i både eierskap i leverandørindustrien og i sammensetning av arbeidsstokken. Disse er relatert, og representerer en endring på et felt som tradisjonelt har vaert viktig for innovasjonsprosesser i bransjen.ABSTRACT The article uses dimensions of proximity as an analytical tool to understand how structural changes in the maritime industry affect the process of innovation. Access to the problem definition is identified as important for the process. The importance of changes in ownership in the supplier industry and changes in composition of the workforce are discussed. These are linked and represent a change in a field that traditionally has been important for the innovation processes in the industry.NØKKELORD Maritim klynge | innovasjon | naerhet | leverandørindustri | kulturmøte

Norway's shipyards have combined with a large network of maritime suppliers to become world-leading builders of offshore vessels for the oil and gas industry. This study analyzes a Norwegian shipyard and two of its suppliers in order to explore how such relationships are and should be managed. The paper presents an exploratory case study that mainly used qualitative data. The findings indicate that, by following the principles of the inter-organizational theories, the companies will reduce risks and create incentives for better performance. Implementing a real-time information sharing system between the buyer and supplier would improve both operational and managerial performance. The study also suggests that increasing value creation by leveraging the capabilities of the supply network and early involvement of suppliers will have the potential to increase this. Based on the discussion in this study, a performance measurement system for buyer-supplier relationships was developed.