Diffusion, social structure and functioning of scientific rural networks: comparison of European and Finish examples

Muilu, Toivo; Kotavaara, Niina

doi:10.2478/v10091-011-0004-1

Abstract

A comparative analysis of two scientific rural networks was made for this study. The national level case study is the Rural Studies Network of Finland and the international case is the European Rural Development Network. Both networks started in 2002. The focus of this study is on comparing the emergence, diffusion and functioning of these two relatively new networks. The experiences and opinions of individual participants of these networks are highlighted instead of territorial aspects. The paper indicates several differences and similarities between case networks relating to the diffusion processes, social structures, functionality and effectiveness of the networks. Successful emergence of rural expert network is an innovative social networking process, which in ideal case results in to a knowledge society of experts who share some common ideas and goals by exploiting and reproducing their social capital.

References

Asheim, B. T. (2009). Learning regions. In Kitchin, R. & Thrift, N. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. 172-178). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Barrett, M., Cappleman, S., Shoib, G. & Walsham, G. (2004). Learning in knowledge communities: managing technology and context. European Management Journal 22(1), 1-11. Doi: 10.1016/j.emj.2003.11.019.10.1016/j.emj.2003.11.019
Search in Google Scholar
Bebbington, A. (2009). Social capital. In Kitchin, R. & Thrift, N. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. 165-170). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In Richardson, J. G. (Ed.), Handbook of Theory and Research for the Sociology of Education (pp. 241-258). Westport: Greenwood Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Brown, L. A. (2009). Diffusion. In: In Kitchin, R. & Thrift, N. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. 170-184). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Burt, R. S. (2000). The network structure of social capital. Research in Organizational Behaviour 22, 345-423. Doi: 10.1016/S0191-3085(00)22009-1.10.1016/S0191-3085(00)22009-1
Search in Google Scholar
Callon, M. (2004). Actor Network Theory. In: Smelser, N. J. & Baltes, P. B. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences (pp. 62-66). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Camagni, R. (1991). Introduction: from the local ‘milieu’ to innovation through cooperative networks. In Camagni, R. (Ed.), Innovation Networks: Spatial Perspectives (pp. 1-9). London: Belhaven.
Search in Google Scholar
Casson, M. & Della Giusta, M., Eds. (2008). The Economics of Networks. An Elgar Reference Collection. The International Library of Critical Writings in Economics 221. Cheltenham.10.4337/9781785366789
Search in Google Scholar
Cohendet, P., Grandadam, D. & Simon, L. (2010). The anatomy of the creative city. Industry and Innovation 17(1), 91-111. Doi: 10.1080/13662710903573869.10.1080/13662710903573869
Search in Google Scholar
Coleman, J. S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology 94(1) 95-120.10.1086/228943
Search in Google Scholar
Cooke, P. (2009). Network regions. In Kitchin, R. & Thrift, N. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. 399-404). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Crevoisier, O. (2004). The Innovative Milieus Approach: Toward a Territorialized Understanding of the Economy? Economic Geography 80(4), 367-379. Doi: 10.1111/j.1944-8287.2004.tb00243.x.10.1111/j.1944-8287.2004.tb00243.x
Search in Google Scholar
van Deth, J. W., Zmerli, S. (2010). Introduction: Civicness, Equality, and Democracy — A "Dark Side" of Social Capital? American Behavioral Scientist 53(5), 631-639. Doi: 10.1177/0002764209350827.10.1177/0002764209350827
Search in Google Scholar
European Rural Development Network ERDN, 2011. http://www.erdn.waw.pl/
Search in Google Scholar
Florida, R. (2005). Cities and the Creative Class. London: Routledge.10.4324/9780203997673
Search in Google Scholar
Grabher, G. & Powell, W. W., Eds. (2004). Networks. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
Search in Google Scholar
Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. The American Journal of Sociology 78(6), 1360-1380.10.1086/225469
Search in Google Scholar
Green, G. P. (2007). Workforce Development Networks in Rural Areas. Cheltenham: Edwar Elgar.10.4337/9781847204226
Search in Google Scholar
Hauser, C., Tappeiner, G. & Walde, J. (2007). The learning region: the impact of social capital and weak ties of innovation. Regional Studies 41(1), 75-88. Doi: 10.1080/00343400600928368.10.1080/00343400600928368
Search in Google Scholar
Henry, N. & Pinch, S. (2000). Spatialising knowledge: placing the knowledge community of Motor Sport Valley. Geoforum 31(2), 191-208. Doi: 10.1016/S0016-7185(99)00038-X.10.1016/S0016-7185(99)00038-X
Search in Google Scholar
Hildreth, P. & Kimble, C., Eds. (2004). Knowledge networks: innovation through communities of practice. Hershey: Idea Group Publishing.10.4018/978-1-59140-200-8
Search in Google Scholar
Hutchinson Dictionary of Geography (2005). Bingdon: Helicon Publishing.
Search in Google Scholar
Hägerstrand, T. (1967). Innovation Diffusion as a Spatial Process. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Johnston, R. J., Gregory, D., Pratt, G. & Watts, M., Eds. (2000). The Dictionary of Human Geography. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.
Search in Google Scholar
Jones, B. & Miller, B. (2007). Innovation Diffusion in the New Economy: the Tacit Component. London: Routledge.10.4324/9780203417096
Search in Google Scholar
Katajamäki, H. (2007). Rural Studies akateemisena interventiona. In Hyyryläinen, T. & Uusitalo, E. (Eds.), Rural Studies - verkosto innovatiivisena yliopistokumppanuutena, toiminnan vuodet 2002-2007 (pp. 7-9). Mikkeli: Ruralia instituutii.
Search in Google Scholar
Latour, B. (1987). Science in Action - How to Follow Scientists and Engineers Through Society. Cambridge (Mass.): Howard University Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Latour, B. (2005). Reassembling the social: an introduction to actor-network-theory. Oxford University Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1995). Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge University Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Law, J. & Hassard, J. (1999). Actor Network Theory and After. Oxford: Blackwell.
Search in Google Scholar
Lee, J., Árnason, A., Nightingale, A. & Shucksmith, M. (2005). Networking: social capital and identities in European rural development. Sociologia Ruralis 45(4), 269-283. Doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9523.2005.00305.x.10.1111/j.1467-9523.2005.00305.x
Search in Google Scholar
Likert, R. (1932). A technique for the measurement of attitudes. Archives of Psychology 140, 1-55.
Search in Google Scholar
Lockie, S. (2006). Networks of agri-environmental action: temporality, spatiality and identity in agricultural environments. Sociologia Ruralis 46(1), 22-39. Doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9523.2006.00400.x.10.1111/j.1467-9523.2006.00400.x
Search in Google Scholar
Mayhew, S. (2009). Dictionary of Geography. Oxford University Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Muilu, T. (2007). Rural Studies Network of Finland - a national approach to networking rural expertise. In Voicilaş, D. M. & Tudor, M., (Eds.), Values and challenges in designing the European rural structures - research network experience (pp. 21-31). European Rural Development Network, Institute of Agricultural Economics Romanian Academy, Institute of Agricultural and Food Economics, National Research Institute.
Search in Google Scholar
Muilu, T. (2010). Rural Studies-verkosto maaseutuasiantuntijuuden voimavarana. Maaseudun uusi aika 18(1), 29-38.
Search in Google Scholar
Muilu, T. & Kotavaara, N. (2010). Networking rural expertise. In Fieldsend, A. (Ed.), Linking competitiveness with equity and sustainability: new ideas for the socio-economic development of rural areas (pp. 51-66). European Rural Development Network, University of Debrecen, Centre of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.
Search in Google Scholar
Murdoch, J. (2000). Networks - a New Paradigm of Rural Development? Journal of Rural Studies 16(4), 407-419. Doi: 10.1016/S0743-0167(00)00022-X.10.1016/S0743-0167(00)00022-X
Search in Google Scholar
Nardone, G., Sisto, R. & Lopolito, A. (2010). Social capital in the LEADER initiative: a methodological approach. Journal of Rural Studies 26(1), 63-72. Doi: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2009.09.001.10.1016/j.jrurstud.2009.09.001
Search in Google Scholar
Pinch, S. (2009). Knowledge communities. In Kitchin, R. & Thrift, N. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. 25-30). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations, 5^th ed. New York: The Free Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Rural Studies Network (2008). Study guide 2008-2009.
Search in Google Scholar
Rural Studies Network (2011). Retrieved March 16, 2011 from http://www.ruralstudies.fi/
Search in Google Scholar
Scott, J. (1991). Social Network Analysis: a Handbook. London: Sage Publications.
Search in Google Scholar
Sternberg, R. (2009). Innovation. In Kitchin, R. & Thrift, N. (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography (pp. 481-490). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Search in Google Scholar
Wasserman, S. & Faust, K. (1994). Social Network Analysis: Methods and Applications. Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511815478
Search in Google Scholar
Wenger, E. (2002). Communities of Practice: Learning, Meaning and Identity. Cambridge University Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Wenger, E., McDermott, R. & Snyder, W. M. (2002). Cultivating Communities of Practice. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Search in Google Scholar
Voicilaş, D. M. (2008). The Experience of the European Rural Development Network (ERDN): from idea to practice. In: Agricultural and Rural Development V (pp. 39-44). Bucuresti: Institute of Agricultural Economics, Romanian Academy.
Search in Google Scholar