Research Interests

• Firm networks
• Industry clusters
• Enterprise policy
• Regional development
• Ecosystems
• Mission-oriented innovation
• Smart specialisation
• Intermediaries

Curriculum

My research focuses on place-based 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, ocean, 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 and international business as well as counseling municipalities, cluster organizations, regional governments, and the Danish Business Authority on 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.