Regional development and digitalization

Vestlandsforsking mobilizes and carries out research projects, evaluates and analyzes projects and
development processes dealing with regional development and digitization. We participate in
regional networks sharing expertise and knowledge with the private and public sectors and other
R&D institutions. We have worked closely together with regional ICT initiatives, and one of our core
research fields is developed from these regional, national, and international collaborative projects.
Since 1985, Vestlandsforsking has researched topics, services and industries that are important for
regional development and digitization. While our location has resulted in close collaboration with
organizations in Vestland, we also work closely with national and international partners.
Regional development takes place in an interaction between politics, business, research, and
education. Service and product development is central and often based on innovation linked to the
environment and natural resources of the county. The people in the region are central, with their
expertise, i.e. labour, their culture and identity. Our research projects illustrate that business
development, service development, innovation, urban development, and demography are often
closely intertwined.
Through the Research Council's regional program, we have worked with regional development and
digitalisation since the early 2000s, mobilizing businesses to engage in research and doing research in
and for business. The public sector challenges and needs have been central in, for example, projects
linked to e-health and digitalization in the municipalities. We often work closely with the local or
regional government, developing a holistic approach to regional development and digitalization in
the public sector.

 

Publikasjonar

Projects

Articles

  • Ung mann på veranda med fjell og bygd bak seg, ser i kamera

    A new, collaborative forum has been established to address research and innovation issues in Vestland county. A key goal is to promote and strengthen research which stimulates R&D linked to innovation and sustainability.

  • Foto frå utstillinga Grüne Woche i Berlin i januar 2020.

    Western Norway Research Institute visited the International Green Week in Berlin as part of a regional study tour. In an ongoing process to establish a business cluster in the intersection between local food, outdoor activities, and tourism, the institute finds a role in research-based innovation and knowledge-building.

  • Modellbilde av ViteMeir

    Vestlandforsking has assembled a working group of researchers who will contribute to the development of subject content at the new science center ViteMeir at Kaupanger.
    - The researchers here work on many topics that are both highly relevant and suitable for installations and practical experiences with ViteMeir, says Anders-Johan Almås, CEO.

  • Conference
    "Svein Ølnes St. Petersburg"

    Researcher Svein Ølnes held the keynote presentation at this year's eGov conference in St. Petersburg, Russia.