The knowledge base of the bioeconomy 195
survey could, for example. A more recent study of entrepreneurship scholars
which aimed to understand the field’s knowledge base also used CVs as a data
source (Landström, Harirchi & Åström, 2012). We follow the mapping focus
to explore the human capital dimension in terms of how researcher capacity
and competences are arrayed in the formative ‘bioeconomy’.
10.3.2 Data
We utilise data provided by the Bionær (Sustainable Innovation in Food and
Bio- based Industries) programme to study the organisational and human
capital dimensions of the bioeconomy. The Bionær programme coordinates
funding allocations from a range of ministries into research and innovation
activity for food and bio- based industries. The programme aims to trigger
research and innovation for enhanced value creation in Norwegian bio- based
industries. The objective is to increase knowledge and expertise in order to
promote sustainable industries and foster policy development and innovation
in bio- based companies and bio- resource management. The requirements for
being accepted into the programme are interdisciplinarity and international
research collaboration, as well as having a market- oriented focus, and incorporating the concepts of sustainability and circularity (RCN, 2013). The
outcome should be both strategic basic research and industry- oriented
research.
The Bionær project portfolio provides a unique – if imperfect – empirical
approach to research and innovation in the bioeconomy. Several strengths
that recommend this programme as a lens are:
a Topicality: it focuses on research and innovation activities in the biobased industries in general. This definition is sufficiently topical; it focuses
on an array of bio- based projects including a category of projects that
explicitly focus on the ‘bioeconomy’.
b Duration: it has existed for over a decade.
c Extent: the funding frame is substantial, with 100 million NOK in 2018
earmarking ‘bioeconomy’ projects alone (in conjunction with other programmes). The projects therefore tend to be long- term and involve larger
numbers of partners.
d Quality: the quality of the projects in terms of research and innovative
degree is approved by a panel of international experts.
There are certain characteristics of the Bionær programme that are relevant to
mention:
a The programme does not account for all innovation and research activity
in the area. It does not include activities that are carried out internally in
companies or in universities that are not funded by the programme. For
example, universities and firms may fund their own R&D work, which
survey could, for example. A more recent study of entrepreneurship scholars
which aimed to understand the field’s knowledge base also used CVs as a data
source (Landström, Harirchi & Åström, 2012). We follow the mapping focus
to explore the human capital dimension in terms of how researcher capacity
and competences are arrayed in the formative ‘bioeconomy’.
10.3.2 Data
We utilise data provided by the Bionær (Sustainable Innovation in Food and
Bio- based Industries) programme to study the organisational and human
capital dimensions of the bioeconomy. The Bionær programme coordinates
funding allocations from a range of ministries into research and innovation
activity for food and bio- based industries. The programme aims to trigger
research and innovation for enhanced value creation in Norwegian bio- based
industries. The objective is to increase knowledge and expertise in order to
promote sustainable industries and foster policy development and innovation
in bio- based companies and bio- resource management. The requirements for
being accepted into the programme are interdisciplinarity and international
research collaboration, as well as having a market- oriented focus, and incorporating the concepts of sustainability and circularity (RCN, 2013). The
outcome should be both strategic basic research and industry- oriented
research.
The Bionær project portfolio provides a unique – if imperfect – empirical
approach to research and innovation in the bioeconomy. Several strengths
that recommend this programme as a lens are:
a Topicality: it focuses on research and innovation activities in the biobased industries in general. This definition is sufficiently topical; it focuses
on an array of bio- based projects including a category of projects that
explicitly focus on the ‘bioeconomy’.
b Duration: it has existed for over a decade.
c Extent: the funding frame is substantial, with 100 million NOK in 2018
earmarking ‘bioeconomy’ projects alone (in conjunction with other programmes). The projects therefore tend to be long- term and involve larger
numbers of partners.
d Quality: the quality of the projects in terms of research and innovative
degree is approved by a panel of international experts.
There are certain characteristics of the Bionær programme that are relevant to
mention:
a The programme does not account for all innovation and research activity
in the area. It does not include activities that are carried out internally in
companies or in universities that are not funded by the programme. For
example, universities and firms may fund their own R&D work, which