Facilitating innovation in loosely coupled networks: Case regional energy efficiency

The paper approaches the challenges of loosely coupled regional innovation networks from the innovation management and regional energy efficiency development perspective. It aims to bring insights on how to initiate and facilitate collaboration between the stakeholders. The paper provides conceptual models that can be utilized especially by the actors and authorities who have a strong interest in regional development. Our results emphasize the identification and selection of a leading organization which can promote and facilitate the collaboration between loosely coupled organizations. It can also be seen that the innovation network management principles used in business context work also in regional collaboration between highly heterogeneous organizations. Processes and practices to support the collaboration from the creation of common understanding and objectives to setting up of joint development projects should be in place