ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on some personal choices that are made in the last few years which have indeed seen to depart from what good friend Nicole Biggart described as the ‘theory cave’ in her own reflective essay. The emphasis has been on ways of designing and undertaking research that sees partners involved in both the conception and execution of activities. The chapter discusses the building institutional structures, nurturing partnerships, and a policy and problem focus for research. It considers some of the implications of these issues for business schools and universities before closing with some more personal reflections. There are two further elements that speak to the ‘ecosystem’ conception of place-based innovation policy. Catalysts: innovation policies need to ensure that there are a range of ways in which innovation is catalysed and supported. Capacity: absorptive capacity has long been acknowledged as a key feature of innovation.
