Integrated landscape initiatives in Europe: Multi-sector collaboration in multi-functional landscapes

Landscapes are linked to human well-being in a multitude of ways, some of which are challenged by global market forces and traditional management approaches. In response to this situation there has been a rise in local initiatives to sustain the values of landscape. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic analysis of the spectrum of these initiatives in Europe in terms of patterns of organisation, participants, resources, problems, and landscape values addressed. This review collects examples of integrated landscape initiatives from all over Europe through systematic internet key word searches and canvassing of European umbrella organisations; followed by an online survey of representatives from the identified initiatives (n = 71). Our results show that the most relevant characteristics of integrated landscape initiatives in Europe are: a holistic approach to landscape management (acting in multifunctional landscapes and combining different objectives), the involvement and coordination of different sectors and stakeholders at many levels, and the role as agents of awareness raising and learning hubs. Integrated landscape initiatives mainly depend on impulses of local civil society. Identified barriers to their work include a lack of funding and institutional support. Therefore, political and societal action is needed to increase their effectiveness.     

Bridging ties and the role of research and start-up experience on the early growth of Dutch academic spin-offs

Bridging ties are important for obtaining new information. However, when entrepreneurs try to bridge between two networks, they may face problems due to the variety of knowledge among individuals in both networks. In this paper, we argue that specific human capital is essential for interpreting new information and coordinating action when bridging between networks. In a sample of 70 Dutch academic spin-offs, our findings show that specific human capital increases the relative impact of bridging ties on early spin-off growth. This paper sheds light on the value of bridging ties for entrepreneurs and provides implications for practitioners.     

Bridging and bonding forms of social capital in a regional strategic network

Research on networks emphasizes the importance of bonds between actors. Social reciprocity strengthens network bonds, which is assumed to have positive effects on business relationships between firms. However, the importance of weak ties is also stressed in network research. An important policy issue is therefore if more attention should be devoted to the creation of bridges to other social groups and loosening bonds between network actors. The difficulty in doing so is described and analyzed in this article focusing on a regional strategic network, which is viewed in three network perspectives. Interview data were collected from all participating managers in a regional strategic network in 2004 and 2010. The findings shed light upon the paradox of using a regional strategic network to counteract over-embeddedness and freeing the involved actors from existing network lock-ins instead of further strengthening such social institutions.     

Multidimensional social capital as a boost or a bar to innovativeness

Innovation does not only demand new ideas, financial resources and knowledge of supplier and user systems, but is also influenced by social capital which has an impact on the innovativeness in business networks. However, social capital is often vague, at times described as a “catch-all notion”. In this paper definitions of social capital are suggested to support the management of innovation in networks. Three dimensions of social capital are applied in a case study of a regional strategic network – the socio-economic, the structural and the actor-oriented dimensions – while focusing on the last one. Data were collected at two points in time, at the start of the regional strategic network in 2004 and at the end of the project in 2010. The application of the concepts and the comparison between these two points in time highlight the influence of social capital and how it can hinder or be used to promote innovation processes.     

Bridging boundaries in consumption,markets, and culture

ABSTRACT

This article introduces a special issue of Consumption Markets & Culture on “Bridging Boundaries in Consumption, Markets and Culture” presenting research by scholars based around the globe. Together, their work examines ways in which the dynamic relations between consumer actions, the marketplace, and cultural meanings bridge boundaries in consumption, markets, and culture. All of the studies rigorously showcase new ways of addressing enduring problems, demonstrating the rich analyzes that emerge when researchers dare to bridge boundaries between multiple perspectives in theory building.     

Social learning: A knowledge and capacity building approach for adaptive co-management of contested landscapes

There is increasing recognition in the field of natural resource management that transformative adaptation to climate and policy change requires cross industry learning and cooperation at the landscape scale. This can be supported by the development of systematic methodology on learning models for adaptive co-management between diverse and conflicting landscape managers. Our example of land-use change to hardwood plantation forestry in sub-tropical Australia illustrates an innovative implementation framework for a social learning process that helped build knowledge and community capacity for adaptive co-management of dynamic and shared landscapes. The action research methodology relied on deliberation over local knowledge, existing and emergent scientific findings, resulting in attitudinal change. Processes required facilitation and mediation by a bridging organisation, in this case a research institution, to support cross-scale communications. Reflections suggest that attention is required to manage risk and support stakeholder analysis, particularly in understanding contested values and overcoming power differentials between industry and self-interest groups. Resolving funding issues will require greater consideration by governments and industry groups of their social responsibilities to communities and the environment; particularly as this social learning model is posited for more broad-scale use in providing multi-level governance linkages and as a basis for targeting interventions to address policy gaps or failure.     

Performance implications of nonmarket strategy in China

Nonmarket strategy may have positive influences on a firm’s performance. How does nonmarket strategy influence a firm’s performance? This article addresses this important question by introducing two mediators: corporate social performance and adaptive capability. The empirical results based on a survey of 438 usable questionnaires from China indicate that “buffering” and “bridging,” being two kinds of nonmarket strategies, have a positive impact on a firm’s economic performance through enhancing its social performance and adaptive capability. The article not only documents the positive effect of nonmarket strategy on firm performance in emerging economies such as China, but also explains the indirect relationship between nonmarket strategy and economic performance, which generates both theoretical and practical implications.     

企业基础研究对技术创新绩效的影响：来自中国生物制药企业的分析

基础研究可以为企业带来大量新颖性知识,是企业提升原始创新能力、构建竞争优势的重要支撑。基于知识理论,分析企业基础研究广度和深度对技术创新绩效的影响,并考察企业桥接科学家的中介作用及知识整合能力的调节效应。在此基础上,利用2009—2019年科学导向型中国生物制药行业80家企业专利申请和SCI论文发表数据进行实证检验。结果表明：企业基础研究广度对技术创新绩效具有正向影响,而基础研究深度与技术创新绩效之间呈现倒U型关系;企业桥接科学家在基础研究广度、深度与技术创新绩效之间发挥部分中介作用。同时,企业技术知识整合能力可以强化基础研究广度与技术创新绩效间的正向关系,削弱基础研究深度与技术创新绩效间的倒U型关系。     

Engaging informal institutions through corporate political activity: Capabilities for subnational embeddedness in emerging economies

This study examines how multinational enterprises (MNEs) organize internally to enhance subnational institutional fit in new frontier developing economies. We consider how corporate political activity (CPA) can facilitate local embeddedness by engaging informal institutions and nonmarket stakeholders at local community level. We apply an exploratory, qualitative, multi-case study approach to six MNEs in Uganda’s electricity generation sector. The findings suggest that in markets like Uganda, MNEs depend on being bridged with subnational informal institutions such as tribal, social, and religious norms and grassroots political networks. Such bridging in turn positions these MNEs to contribute to developmental processes by integrating recognizable informal institutions into grassroots projects.Drawing on institutional theory and an organizational capabilities perspective, we identify the diverse bridging capabilities that enable MNEs to successfully embed locally, thereby simultaneously pursuing business objectives and achieving societal relevance.