INNOVATION PLATFORMS AND THE GOVERNANCE OF KNOWLEDGE: EVIDENCE FROM ITALY AND THE UK

Abstract

Innovation is a collective process that entails the coordination of distributed knowledge across diverse organizations. Technology infrastructures provide innovation systems with governance mechanisms to create and sustain complementarities across otherwise dispersed competences. The paper presents innovation platforms as a specific case of technology infrastructure. Operating strategically at the interface between the public and the private sectors, platforms enable capacity- and capability-building for individuals, teams and organizations. Illustrative evidence on innovation platforms in the United Kingdom and Italy confirms the importance of institutional responsiveness to stimulate variety and ensure coordination in the context of collective innovation processes.