From Researching Regions at a Distance to Participatory Network Building: Integrating Action Research and Economic Geography

Abstract

This paper describes the change in a researcher's practices from one of studying regional industrial development at a distance to one of working closely with a network of agri-food managers. This is accompanied by a discussion of the methodological and theoretical possibilities for an action research inspired economic geography. Some of the core characteristics of a pragmatic conceptualization of action research are revised. It is argued that theoretical developments within economic geography make possible a dialogue between researchers and local actors and that economic geography is challenged to accept that knowledge is generated through such a dialogue. Attempts to create a dialogue between action research and economic geography in a specific Norwegian industrial and geographical context are described. These attempts indicate that the researcher's methodological approach has been transformed from a narrow one relying solely on conventional social science methods to a broader one including participatory action research.

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Analytic and Dynamic Approach to Collaboration: A Transdisciplinary Case Study on Sustainable Landscape Development in a Swiss Prealpine Region

“…More than 200 people participated in total in our case study on landscape development in Appenzell Ausserrhoden. 'Participatory network building' (Saether 2007) was achieved and a process of mutual learning among all those involved induced.…”

Regional Innovation Policy Processes: Linking Learning to Action

“…The approach presented in this paper is based on the role of engaged social researchers that focus mainly on knowledge generation. Following Saether's [31] proposal to integrate action research and economic geography, we believe there is an interesting field to emerge from the intersection of engaged research and innovation policy. Their role can be a facilitator for overcoming failures, particularly lock-in and network failures, although as we mentioned previously the three types of failure are interconnected.…”