How underdeveloped localities or subnational regions build the capabilities to realise and spread the benefits of innovation is a longstanding puzzle in innovation studies. To address this puzzle, this study explores the prospects of innovation networking among state and non-state actors in Frances Baard District Municipality, South Africa. In-depth analysis of extensive interviews with key informants across local industry sectors reveals insights about the properties of innovation networks, such as composition and structure, as well as options of network adaptation and combining sectoral networks operating in the same locality. Non-formal networking was far more prevalent across well-established and newer industry clusters, which is similar to examples from elsewhere in the Global South. Networks established to coordinate institutional governance without an explicit innovation intent could trigger learning, adaption and serendipitous innovations. Further research could extend our findings through deeper investigations on network adaption and coordination for the promotion of innovation in aspiring subnational regions.

中文翻译：

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雄心勃勃的地方创新地区的创新网络：探索南非弗朗西斯巴尔德市的经验

欠发达地区或国家以下地区如何培养实现和传播创新收益的能力是创新研究中长期存在的难题。为了解决这个难题，本研究探讨了南非弗朗西斯巴尔德区国家和非国家行为者之间创新网络的前景。对当地行业关键信息提供者的广泛采访的深入分析揭示了对创新网络属性的见解，例如组成和结构，以及网络适应和合并在同一地区运营的部门网络的选项。非正式网络在成熟的和较新的产业集群中更为普遍，这与全球南方其他地方的例子相似。在没有明确创新意图的情况下，为协调机构治理而建立的网络可能会引发学习、适应和偶然的创新。进一步的研究可以通过对网络适应和协调的更深入调查来扩展我们的研究结果，以促进有抱负的次国家地区的创新。