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Pekkarinen S. and Harmaakorpi V. (2006) Building regional innovation networks: the definition of an age business core process in a regional innovation system, Regional Studies 40, 401-413. Regional innovative capability is a crucial factor in building regional competitive advantage under the present techno-economic paradigm. Defining and promoting the multi-actor innovation networks that form the regional innovation system is essential. In the present study, the Regional Development Platform Method and core process thinking are presented as innovative tools in developing regional innovation systems. The focus is on the definition of the age business innovation network as a core process of the Lahti (Finland) regional innovation system. The main conclusion is that the success of a core process is essentially based on collective learning and knowledge creation among the actors. Pekkarinen S. et Harmaakorpi V. (2006) La construction de reseaux d'innovation regionaux: la definition d'un processus de base dans le commerce gris au sein d'un systeme d'innovation regional, Regional Studies 40, 401-413. La capacite regionale d'innovation est un acteur primordial dans la construction de l'avantage competitif regional. sous le paradigme techno-economique actuel. Definir et promouvoir les reseaux d'innovation a plusieurs acteurs qui font partie integrante du systeme d'innovation regional est capital. Cette etude cherche a presenter la Regional Development Platform Method et la pensee sur les processus de base en tant qu'outils innovateurs du developpement des systemes d'innovation regionaux. On met l'accent sur la definition des reseaux d'innovation dans le commerce gris comme processus de base du systeme d'innovation regional a Lahti (en Finlande). A titre de conclusion principale, on affirme que la reussite d'un processus de base s'explique essentiellement par la creation de l'apprentissage et de la connaissance collectifs parmi les acteurs. Systemes d'innovation regionaux, Reseaux d'innovation, Politiques d'innovation, Vieillissement de la population Pekkarinen S. und Harmaakorpi V. (2006) Aufbau regionaler Innovationsnetzwerke. Definition eines zeitgemassen Betriebskernprozesses in einem regionalen Innovationssystem, Regional Studies 40, 401-413. Die Innovationsfahigkeit einer Region ist ein entscheidender Faktor beim Aufbau eines regionalen Wettbewerbsvorteils nach derzeitigem techno-wirtschaftlichen Muster. Definition und Werbung fur Innovationsnetzwerke mit verschiedenen Beteiligten, die das regionale Innovationssystem bilden, ist wesentlich. In der vorliegenden Studie werden die Methode der regionalen Entwicklungsplattform und Uberlegungen zu Kernverfahren als innovative Werkzeuge bei der Entwicklung regionaler Innovationssysteme vorgefuhrt. Im Brennpunkt steht die Definition des zeitgemassen Betriebsinnovationsnetzwerks als ein Kernprozess des regionalen Innovationssystems von Lahti (Finnland). Die Hauptschlussfolgerung lauft darauf hinaus, dasser Erfolg eines Kernprozesses sich wesentlich auf kollektives Lernen und...

There is an urge to introduce high technology and robotics in care settings. Assisted living (AL) is the fastest growing form of older adults' long-term care. Resident autonomy has become the watchword for good care. This article sheds light on the potential effects of care robotics on the sense of autonomy of older people in AL. Three aspects of the residents' sense of autonomy are of particular interest: (a) interaction-based sense of autonomy, (b) coping-based sense of autonomy, and (c) potential-based sense of autonomy. Ethnographical data on resident autonomy in an AL facility and existing literature on care robots are utilized in studying what kind of assurances different types of robots would provide to maintain the sense of autonomy in AL. Robots could strengthen the different types of sense of autonomy in multiple ways. Different types of robots could widen the residents' space of daily movements, sustain their capacities, and help them maintain and even create future expectations. Robots may strengthen the sense of autonomy of older persons in AL; however, they may simultaneously pose a threat. Multi-professional discussions are needed on whether robots are welcomed in care, and if they are, how, for whom, and in what areas.

A shift in the techno-economic paradigm will affect regions; regions, however, are path-dependent units. This path-dependency often leads to considerable socio-institutional inertia in the process of transformation whereby regions aim to remain competitive in the face of worldwide competition. The present article assesses the role of the dynamic capabilities of social capital in the process of regional adaptation. A survey conducted in the Lahti urban region in Finland is used as empirical data. The results of the survey reveal the respondents' fairly good awareness of the prevailing techno-economic paradigm and of the strong socio-institutional inertia confronting change in practice. The results suggest, however, that there are systematic differences in responsiveness between local politicians and other decision-makers. The study concludes with a discussion of the relevance of shared common views on the development needed within the region. Copyright (c) 2007 The Authors. Journal Compilation (c) 2007 Joint Editors and Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

This paper considers the dynamics of the emerging care robotics innovation ecosystem in the Finnish welfare services. Innovation ecosystems have both evolutionary nature as well as aspects of purposeful design, and we study the relevant actors, their roles, the accelerators and the barriers, by conducting a survey among relevant stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem. An online survey was conducted with a range of Finnish stakeholders (N=250): service actors (n=148) and research and development actors (n=102). The responses of the two groups were analysed with a pairwise t-test. The results show that a variety of stakeholders are needed in ecosystem. The role of micro-level actors, such as workmates and professional and private robot users, were considered as important. Service actors should also play a stronger role in the ecosystem. In particular, research and development actors seemed to be open to new stakeholders entering the ecosystem and highlighted the importance of collaboration between actors. The culture of piloting in Finland is accelerating the ecosystem, but attitudinal factors, such as fears and resistance to change are hindering its development. The ecosystem is dynamic, and the dynamics in the ecosystem seem to be largely based on social and cultural issues.

Purpose -The purpose of this study is to examine the ongoing dynamics of the public service sector reform through an embedding process of a municipal enterprise from the field of basic social and health care services -a pilot model in Finland. Design/methodology/approach -The framework of a multi-level perspective on transitions is used to describe the change process. At the lowest level of this perspective are the experimental niches acting as "seeds of change" represented by the case organisation, a municipal enterprise operating in the basic social and health care sector. The data consist of 16 thematic interviews with the key persons of the operating system, analysed with the principles of content analysis. Findings -The examination uncovers diverse pressures affecting niche level innovations and manifesting as clashes and controversies between old and new ways of thinking, but these clashes can also act as a platform for innovations when opened up, analysed and facilitated. Practical implications -Clashes that appear in societal transition processes and regime changes, both in the regimes and also on the organisational level, should not be seen solely as bottlenecks, because they can act as innovation potential when opened up and facilitated. This implies the need for not only new technological, service-related and organisational innovations in the public sector reform, but also innovative practices, "second level innovations". Originality/value -This paper contributes to the discussion on the ongoing change processes in the reform of the social and health care sector, emphasising emerging clashes not only as obstacles but opportunities.

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In this research, we investigate user experiences with the Laevo exoskeletons in geriatric work. We introduce two studies where Finnish nurses used exoskeletons and identify the requirements and potential restrictions for using exoskeletons in care context. Our results show that nurses’ intentions to use the exoskeletons were mostly associated with perceived usefulness, ergonomics, and enjoyment of use. Also, social environment issues, such as other people’s reactions, are important considerations. Exoskeleton use has varying requirements depending on where it will be implemented. Thus, the end users’ ideas for the design are crucial in enabling exoskeleton use in different sectors of work.