Knowledge dynamics in moving media in Skåne

Cross-sectoral innovations in game development and film tourism.

This report is a result of the project Regional Trajectories to the Knowledge Economy: A Dynamic Model (EURODITE). The main objective of the EURODITE project was to investigate knowledge dynamics; that is, how knowledge is generated, developed and transferred within and among firms or organisations, and their regional contexts.

Empirical research on knowledge dynamics has been based on the building blocks of region, sector, and both territorial and firm-level knowledge. Territorial knowledge dynamics concern knowledge exchange, networks and interactions among actors across territories, both internal and extraregional. Firm-level knowledge dynamics contributes a deeper understanding of knowledge dynamics by studying the interactions within a firm or organisation and between firms or organisations that result in an innovation; for instance, a new or improved product.

This report includes the description and analysis of two sets of territorial knowledge dynamics with accompanying firm-level knowledge dynamics in the moving media sector in the Skåne region of Sweden. The first case study looks at knowledge dynamics within computer game development and a micro-level study of the development of the serious game ‘Agent O’. The second case study elaborates on the knowledge dynamics related to film production and tourism with a micro-level study of the marketing collaboration ‘The Film Track’. In addition, these case studies have been placed in a wider European perspective by comparing them with the other case studies performed within the project.

It is clear from the project’s case studies that knowledge dynamics are multiscalar and include important interactions at great distances. We conclude that cross-sectoral knowledge interactions are seed-beds for innovation and drive product development. Finally, knowledge interactions include many types of actors conducting a variety of knowledge interactions. In any region, there is a vast amount of intertwined evolution of knowledge dynamics. A multitude of strategies and actions is utilised by firms, higher education institutions and other actors to seek out and to utilise the knowledge needed wherever it is located. Tailor-made and progressive policy support of such processes is needed to avoid lock-ins and promote innovative regional development. The report aims at policymakers and practitioners within economic development work, business organisations, chambers of commerce, the higher education sector, and researchers of knowledge dynamics, innovation, regional development and policy.