Does participation in knowledge networks facilitate market access in global innovation systems? The case of offshore wind

Abstract

This article explores how knowledge networks function as structural couplings in global innovation systems (GIS). Based on a unique dataset we investigate the effects of Norwegian offshore wind firms' participation in different knowledge networks on international market access. The results show that international knowledge networks facilitate access to market resources in a GIS under certain conditions. First, participating in pilot and demonstration projects positively affects firms’ access to international markets. Second, participation in R&D projects has only a positive effect on international market access when R&D collaboration involves international partners. This effect is stronger when collaborators come from countries with a domestic market. Our results show that knowledge networks can function as one type of structural coupling (between a country and the GIS), which can facilitate another type of coupling (between knowledge and markets). The extent of coupling depends on the innovation mode and geographic scale of the knowledge networks. An implication for policy is that knowledge resources can be leveraged through incentives for international collaboration, and support for pilot and demonstration activities.