Knowledge Dynamics in the Stockholm Region : A study of KIBS, ICT and Medtech

This report discusses aspects of the transformation of the economy in the wake of thedevelopment of information and communication technology (ICT) using a case study ofStockholm. This study is conducted as a part of a Nordic research project titled ‘RegionalTrajectories to the Knowledge Economy—Nordic-European Comparisons’ (REKENE).REKENE involves seven regional teams from Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, witheach team made up of both researchers and practitioners.The objective of REKENE and the Stockholm case study is to identify activities and processesthat generate knowledge development and innovations. REKENE involves a conceptualframework, which particularly stresses the concepts of knowledge dynamics, of different typesof knowledge, gender aspects, multilocal networks and the processes of anchoring resources tothe region.The different regional teams in REKENE study different industrial sectors. For Stockholm, ourpoint of departure is knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) with a particular focus oncomputer services/ICT expertise and medical technicians and technologists (medtech).The report describes the development of knowledge from the point of departure from a smallfirm engaged in medtech. This description illustrates how interactions between sectors andknowledge domains are distinctive for KIBS, wherein firms work closely with their clients andusually adopt the roles of co-creators and co-producers. Important developments are thengenerated through composite knowledge whereby policies may facilitate the integration of arange of competencies, skills and experiences in networks. Indeed, it is difficult to discern anyouter boundary delimiting the skills that are most relevant for the development of ICTapplications. Although the establishment of strong relationships among local actors in theStockholm region is an important resource for knowledge dynamics to be effective, widerinternational connections are needed for sustainable development.Regional Trajectories to the Knowledge Economy: Nordic - European Comparison