Development of knowledge capital and innovation culture in Suurpelto during the Project Koulii

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to describe creation of knowledge capital and innovation culture within the field of regional development. This covers the development process of the Living Lab environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines knowledge creation in innovation network based on Nonaka and Takeuchi's SECI model and Harmaakorpi's Rye‐bread model. The paper describes the role of Koulii project (funding European Social Fund by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) in understanding, advancing and developing the sense of communality and human sized services in Suurpelto in Espoo. Emphasis is on the project's role and practices in the evolution of knowledge capital. Examination and assessing is based on a practice‐based innovation activity model within multi‐actor and multi‐disciplinary innovation networks.

Findings

The innovation arena model involves different actors in a growing and deepening process, which benefits and uses strong and weak ties in those networks. The paper also discusses regional development from structural and symbolic perspectives. Creation and development of the innovation culture of Omnia and Laurea and in Suurpelto is examined.

Originality/value

The case study confirms in practice the usability of both the SECI and the Rye‐bread models in innovation and regional development work. The paper summarizes the accomplishments and results achieved or in horizon during the innovation project at Suurpelto.

Citation

Rasanen, P. (2012), "Development of knowledge capital and innovation culture in Suurpelto during the Project Koulii", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 23-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777281211272297