ABSTRACT
The main objective is to investigate how network arrangements between the local university and cultural and creative industries (C&CIs) in Southern Norway can be characterised. It explores different ways through which the university interacts with C&CIs and the factors that inuence the co-operation between them, by using the network theory perspective. The discussion focuses on the types of networks and its main characteristics for network success, and their implications to regional development. We adopt a case study research design, and resort to semi-structured interviews with representatives from both local creative industries across six distinct branches, as well as senior academic administrators. Our ndings suggest that network arrangements between academia and C&CIs in Southern Norway are sub-optimal, and that a number of key conditions need to be in place in order to enhance the level of engagement between actors across the two sectors.
