On the role of small firms in cluster evolution: the case of internet development in Norway during the 1990s Online publication date: Wed, 07-Jul-2004
by Jartrud Steinsli, Olav R. Spilling
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (IJEIM), Vol. 4, No. 2/3, 2004
Abstract: In December 1991, a group of 16 people from the University of Oslo, with core knowledge in the field of informatics and computing services, met for a ''pizza meeting'' and decided to start a new company, Oslonett. In Norway, this case represents the first attempt to commercialise emerging internet technology. Diverse, multifaceted development followed. The Oslonett initiative led to a ''chain reaction'' in which many different actors took part. The original Oslonett was transferred into new companies, and a number of spin-offs ensued. The purpose of this paper is to present the Oslonett case in detail; and to illustrate important mechanisms of cluster evolution, by following the actors who were involved in the initial start-up. The role of different actors is analysed from the perspectives of innovation systems and high-technology clusters, and the role of small firms is examined in relation to other actors, in particular the University of Oslo and larger firms.
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