James Karlsen – författare

This incisive book presents conceptual and empirical insights to illustrate how regions can adopt sustainable industry practices in response to climate change. Contributing authors assess regional restructuring from multiple angles, examining case studies and empirical evidence.Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the book features contributions from economic geography and regional innovation studies that provide an approachable overview of the subject, and proposes fresh development strategies and policies to support sustainable transformations. Chapters demonstrate the role of culture in sustainable regional restructuring and shed light on industries such as salmon farming, oil and gas as examples of adaptive capacity and agency. They address regional green initiatives and digital transitions in local businesses, outlining workforce adaptation and challenge oriented regional innovation systems as concepts warranting further research.An essential read for students and academics in economic geography and regional innovation studies, this book will also greatly benefit policymakers, practitioners and professionals interested in sustainable regional restructuring and development, including agencies and non-government organisations.

Territorial Development and Action Research examines the role of action research within fields such as territorial development and innovation. Most researchers analyse these fields from the outside, developing a theoretical understanding of what should be done, but not of how to do it. Based on their own experience of territorial development processes from the inside out, James Karlsen and Miren Larrea argue that filling the gap regarding social relations in the innovation process makes it possible for researchers to engage in the processes taking place in the territory, thereby revealing how to make things work. This book will help researchers face the pressure to engage and play a useful role in the development of their host regions. It will help policy makers to continuously learn and redefine policy approaches and bring about collaboration through networks, programs and projects where researchers and practitioners in regional, local and urban development work together to construct territorial development. Readers will acquire a better understanding of micro-territorial development processes and the roles played by individuals and coalitions in endogenous development processes.