Research areas

• Firm networks
• Industrial clusters
• Relationship management
• Public innovation and business policy
• Regional development
• Ecosystems

Curriculum

My research focuses on territorial business development and management, drawing on theories from diverse fields that include industrial marketing, economic geography, and innovation. In particular, I investigate qualitatively how regional industrial specializations such as industry clusters, firm networks, and business ecosystems emerge, develop, and transform as well as how different institutional settings, political initiatives, and facilitation activities influence these specializations. I carry out my research in both urban and rural contexts and across different industries and countries. Lately, I have focused on regional specializations in the water, energy, and robotics industries.

Most of my research is undertaken in close collaboration with the business community and industry-promoting organizations, often in the form of externally funded projects. This collaborative approach helps to ensure that my research has relevance beyond the academic sector. Furthermore, my research benefits from an international research network covering Europe, Australia, and the United States.

In addition to my research, I enjoy teaching courses on strategy, international business, and research methodology as well as counseling municipalities, cluster organizations, regional governments, and the Danish Business Authority on territorial business development and management matters. To me, knowledge dissemination activities are key, as they are important for ensuring that my research contributes to the wider society and is based on relevant societal challenges.