Project summary:
The aim of this project is to analyse the role of multi-level governance networks in policies of regional development. The empirical point of departure are networks established to facilitate the domestic use of natural gas in three regions in Norway, namely Rogaland, Grenland and Midt- Norge. We will analyse how regional development and innovation is influenced by different public-private networks in the various regions, and their relationships with actors and institutions at the national level of decision-making.
Theoretically, the project is informed by the literature on governance, in particular contributions that have studied the role of networks in processes of regional economic development. The aim is to gain more general knowledge about the role and functioning of networks in terms of participants, roles and relationships, and more generally criteria for success versus failure of network governance. Methodologically, the project will use studies of documents, newspapers and interviews with key actors at both local and national levels from public as well as private organisations.
The project is financed by a grant from the Research Council of Norway under the programme "Democracy and Governance in Regional Context" in the period 2006-2009.
Participants:
- Marit Reitan, Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (project manager)
- Sjur Kasa CICERO, Centre for Climate Research, University of Oslo
- Anders Underthun, NTNU Social Research Ltd and Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Jan Erik Karlsen, International Research Institute of Stavanger (IRIS)