The Innovation Systems Research Network: a Canadian experiment in knowledge management

The Innovation Systems Research Network is a collaborative Canadian initiative to undertake and disseminate research results concerning the diverse nature of regional and local innovation systems across the country. The network was established on the premise that, because of their diversity, regional innovation systems in Canada could not be treated as similar, and that single nation-wide innovation policies would not be successful. This project is, itself, an experiment in research management, in that, because of its regional focus in a geographically diverse federation, it is organized as a federation of regional innovation studies networks. A consequence is that the network has been productive and has provided opportunities for graduate students to meet their peers (and future colleagues) across the country.