Title: Metropolitan strategies for global innovation networking: the case of Helsinki

Authors: Ari-Veikko Anttiroiko; Markus Laine; Henrik Lönnqvist

Addresses: School of Management, University of Tampere, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland ' School of Management, University of Tampere, FI-33014 University of Tampere, Finland ' City of Helsinki Urban Facts, P.O. Box 5500, FI-00099 City of Helsinki, Finland

Abstract: Innovations have become indispensable in global intercity competition. Local actors must be able to forge links to different domains of global innovation in order to be able to gain access to and benefit from global flows of values. In this article, we analyse metropolitan governments' strategies for global innovation networking, drawing empirical evidence from the case of the city of Helsinki, Finland. Helsinki focuses in its global innovation networking on three activities: participating in international city networks, utilising networks to attract innovative companies and talent to the city, and connecting the local innovation environment to global innovation ecology. Helsinki relies on learning by doing in its quest to reap benefits from innovation networking. Its special challenges are to cope with the multidimensionality of global innovation networking, develop a shared vision, and create collaborative mindset in order to get rid of obstacles caused by institutional silos and enclaves.

Keywords: globalisation; city networks; global innovation networking; local economy; urban development; cities; city government; innovation environment; Helsinki; Finland; metropolitan strategies; case study.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2016.076199

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2016 Vol.7 No.1, pp.20 - 35

Received: 04 Apr 2015
Accepted: 03 Dec 2015
Published online: 29 Apr 2016 *

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