Final Report Summary - KTIECBR (Knowledge Transfer and Innovations in European Cross Border Regions)
Knowledge transfer and innovations in European cross border regions (KTIECBR)
Dr Adi Weidenfeld, Middlesex University, UK
Prof Peter Bjork, Hanken School of Economics, Finland
Prof Allan Williams, University of Surrey, UK
Objectives
1. Comparing between two different cross border regions (CBRs) in terms of the impact of physical and human geographic factors on the nature and levels of knowledge transfers, creativity and diffusion of innovations amongst Small and Medium Size Enterprises in the service industries from neighbouring EU countries, with a special focus on the tourism sector, including : 1.1 Proximity to borders and the impact of natural border barriers (e.g. river, sea) in terms of levels of cross border accessibility; 1.2 Impact of cross-border differences, particularly cultural ones between actors from both sides of the borders on knowledge transfer.
2. Identifying the role of cross-border networks in enhancing knowledge transfer and innovations and the establishment of cluster mechanisms.
3. Identifying obstacles and barriers for knowledge transfer and innovation caused by the special conditions in cross border regions.
4. The impact of cross border initiatives, such as INTERREG on cross border knowledge transfer;
5. Suggesting indicators for monitoring levels of creativity and innovations in cross border regions and identifying the implication for EU development planning policies.
Project implementation and findings
The study focused on the more subtle cultural and cognitive differences between managers and customers (shoppers and tourists) from both sides of neighboring regions in CBRs between Finland and Sweden as well as on the special characteristics of tourism innovation and knowledge transfer between cross border small tourism businesses in two CBRs. CBR I is the twin city of Tornio-Haparanda in the Northern parts of Sweden and Finland (CBR I) and the cities of Vaasa (Finland) and Umea (Sweden) in CBR II.
Data collection
Phase I (objectives1,3,5):
1. Statistical analysis: 783 valid questionnaires (out of 822 a total number of questionnaires) of customers in Tornio-Haparanda (411 customers from Finland and 372 from Sweden). 2. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken and survey questionnaires were collected from 19 managers of small and micro service businesses mainly from the tourism, retail and catering service sub-sectors (9 from Tornio and 10 from Haparanda).
Phase II (objectives1,3,5):
1. Quantitative statistical analysis: 300 valid questionnaires of cross border tourist customers from Vaasa and Umea visiting Umea and Vaasa respectively were collected. 2. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with and survey questionnaires were collected from 21 managers of small and micro service businesses mainly from the tourism (10 from Vaasa and 11 from Umea).
2. Data from Phase I and II indicate customers' perception of managers and vice versa in terms of the elements in which they perceive each other as different from one another (using Likert scale 1- strongly disagree to 5) in relation to managers learning from customers and customers' feedback to managers from the culture on the other side of the border (Swedish or Finnish). These aspects influence the extent to which customers potentially provide ideas and information to managers, for product enhancement and innovation and the ability of managers to absorb and use it. Comparisons between the perceptions of each group e.g. visitors and tourists versus residents, Swedish residents vs. Finnish customers, etc., provide an in-sight into the elements that influence cross border exchange of knowledge in the service sector. Data have been analyzed for the purpose of academic articles and communication with the public including local and regional authorities and the local media in the research area as well as EU DG Regio. The on-going phases will provide further in-sight into the impact of EU funded projects on addressing the barriers to knowledge transfer and policy implications.
Phase III (on-going, objectives 2-5)
1. Semi structured in-depth interviews with 26 managers of small tourism businesses from towns in the cross border regions of the Kvarken Region regarding their view on the characteristics, barriers and enablers of exchange of knowledge and diffusion of tourism innovation among Swedish and Finnish managers, who have participated in the EU funded cross border project, Visit Kvarken, aimed at enhancing compatibility and skills.
2.Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 experts including development officers, planners, coordinators, head of development agencies from both CBRs, who have worked in facilitating and organizing cross border collaboration projects between Finland and Sweden. Data includes information on new and existing policies aimed at stimulating and encouraging learning and knowledge transfer between cross border actors.
Results
The perceived differences between customers and managers from Tornio-Haparanda (i.e. between customers and managers, self-identified as belonging to Finnish or Swedish culture). Surprisingly, customers' perceived differences were found to be similar to those of visitors (non-residents), which could indicate that CBRs can represent other mainland regions in Sweden and Finland.
The study shows that a more fine-grained approach is needed for understanding and improving knowledge transfer between neighboring national cultures in CBRs.
Expected final results and their potential impact
1. A comparison of the perceived cultural and cognitive differences affecting knowledge transfer amongst actors in adjacent cross border regions (Tornio-Haparanda) to those amongst actors in 'distant' border regions (Vasa and Umea).
2. Further policy implications and suggested recommendations regarding EU funded projects.
3. Data on the barriers and enablers of cross border knowledge transfer between managers of small tourism businesses participating in EU projects.
Further details:
Dr Adi Weidenfeld, adi.weidenfeld@hanken.fi, tel: +358 (0)40 3521 776, Hanken School of Economics, Kauppapuistikko 2, P.O. Box 287, 65101 VAASA, FINLAND
Project website:
http://www.hanken.fi/public/en/marketing_projects#document3(se abrirá en una nueva ventana)
Dr Adi Weidenfeld, Middlesex University, UK
Prof Peter Bjork, Hanken School of Economics, Finland
Prof Allan Williams, University of Surrey, UK
Objectives
1. Comparing between two different cross border regions (CBRs) in terms of the impact of physical and human geographic factors on the nature and levels of knowledge transfers, creativity and diffusion of innovations amongst Small and Medium Size Enterprises in the service industries from neighbouring EU countries, with a special focus on the tourism sector, including : 1.1 Proximity to borders and the impact of natural border barriers (e.g. river, sea) in terms of levels of cross border accessibility; 1.2 Impact of cross-border differences, particularly cultural ones between actors from both sides of the borders on knowledge transfer.
2. Identifying the role of cross-border networks in enhancing knowledge transfer and innovations and the establishment of cluster mechanisms.
3. Identifying obstacles and barriers for knowledge transfer and innovation caused by the special conditions in cross border regions.
4. The impact of cross border initiatives, such as INTERREG on cross border knowledge transfer;
5. Suggesting indicators for monitoring levels of creativity and innovations in cross border regions and identifying the implication for EU development planning policies.
Project implementation and findings
The study focused on the more subtle cultural and cognitive differences between managers and customers (shoppers and tourists) from both sides of neighboring regions in CBRs between Finland and Sweden as well as on the special characteristics of tourism innovation and knowledge transfer between cross border small tourism businesses in two CBRs. CBR I is the twin city of Tornio-Haparanda in the Northern parts of Sweden and Finland (CBR I) and the cities of Vaasa (Finland) and Umea (Sweden) in CBR II.
Data collection
Phase I (objectives1,3,5):
1. Statistical analysis: 783 valid questionnaires (out of 822 a total number of questionnaires) of customers in Tornio-Haparanda (411 customers from Finland and 372 from Sweden). 2. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken and survey questionnaires were collected from 19 managers of small and micro service businesses mainly from the tourism, retail and catering service sub-sectors (9 from Tornio and 10 from Haparanda).
Phase II (objectives1,3,5):
1. Quantitative statistical analysis: 300 valid questionnaires of cross border tourist customers from Vaasa and Umea visiting Umea and Vaasa respectively were collected. 2. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were undertaken with and survey questionnaires were collected from 21 managers of small and micro service businesses mainly from the tourism (10 from Vaasa and 11 from Umea).
2. Data from Phase I and II indicate customers' perception of managers and vice versa in terms of the elements in which they perceive each other as different from one another (using Likert scale 1- strongly disagree to 5) in relation to managers learning from customers and customers' feedback to managers from the culture on the other side of the border (Swedish or Finnish). These aspects influence the extent to which customers potentially provide ideas and information to managers, for product enhancement and innovation and the ability of managers to absorb and use it. Comparisons between the perceptions of each group e.g. visitors and tourists versus residents, Swedish residents vs. Finnish customers, etc., provide an in-sight into the elements that influence cross border exchange of knowledge in the service sector. Data have been analyzed for the purpose of academic articles and communication with the public including local and regional authorities and the local media in the research area as well as EU DG Regio. The on-going phases will provide further in-sight into the impact of EU funded projects on addressing the barriers to knowledge transfer and policy implications.
Phase III (on-going, objectives 2-5)
1. Semi structured in-depth interviews with 26 managers of small tourism businesses from towns in the cross border regions of the Kvarken Region regarding their view on the characteristics, barriers and enablers of exchange of knowledge and diffusion of tourism innovation among Swedish and Finnish managers, who have participated in the EU funded cross border project, Visit Kvarken, aimed at enhancing compatibility and skills.
2.Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 experts including development officers, planners, coordinators, head of development agencies from both CBRs, who have worked in facilitating and organizing cross border collaboration projects between Finland and Sweden. Data includes information on new and existing policies aimed at stimulating and encouraging learning and knowledge transfer between cross border actors.
Results
The perceived differences between customers and managers from Tornio-Haparanda (i.e. between customers and managers, self-identified as belonging to Finnish or Swedish culture). Surprisingly, customers' perceived differences were found to be similar to those of visitors (non-residents), which could indicate that CBRs can represent other mainland regions in Sweden and Finland.
The study shows that a more fine-grained approach is needed for understanding and improving knowledge transfer between neighboring national cultures in CBRs.
Expected final results and their potential impact
1. A comparison of the perceived cultural and cognitive differences affecting knowledge transfer amongst actors in adjacent cross border regions (Tornio-Haparanda) to those amongst actors in 'distant' border regions (Vasa and Umea).
2. Further policy implications and suggested recommendations regarding EU funded projects.
3. Data on the barriers and enablers of cross border knowledge transfer between managers of small tourism businesses participating in EU projects.
Further details:
Dr Adi Weidenfeld, adi.weidenfeld@hanken.fi, tel: +358 (0)40 3521 776, Hanken School of Economics, Kauppapuistikko 2, P.O. Box 287, 65101 VAASA, FINLAND
Project website:
http://www.hanken.fi/public/en/marketing_projects#document3(se abrirá en una nueva ventana)
