Innovative Networks on Rural Context

The literature related with innovation in rural contexts it's scarce. Those few studies in the area have been discussing inter-organisational networks from the view point of structures that boost the generation of new ideas, the acquisition and share of knowledge and resources, the improvement or creation of new products and services and/or the reach of new markets. The issues of content and dynamics of networks and the relation of these latter with regional development are not yet fully addressed specially in the context of rural areas. This research intends to contribute to the networks and rural development empirical literature, through the approach of a network case and its qualitative description and analysis, at a micro, meso and macro level. This work relates the context factors, network features and the performance outcomes, departing from network characterisation in its three dimensions: structure, content and dynamics and finally, verifies if networks for innovation are an important strategic tool for rural development. The research should be especially useful to students and professionals in networks for innovation fields and other agents integrated in rural development.