Regional Strategies to Meet Globalization: How Single Plants Innovate together to Remain Viable and Secure Employment. The Grenland Industrial Cluster and Telemark

The article outlines the background and action research strategy followed in a large scale development project in the Telemark region SW of Oslo. The project is a part of a national, tripartite, R&D programme, “Value Creation 2010”, which started in 2000 as a continuation of the series of work life democratization efforts initiated in 1962. The choice of action research methods applied is explained and discussed. Further, we present the practical outcomes in terms of commitment to new ways of organizing work across boundaries, the economic performance of the networks, the creation and securing of jobs and organisational innovations. The potential for further economic development in the region is discussed.