Epistemic Communities, Localization and the Dynamics of Knowledge Creation

November 4, 2013

Global Innovation & Regional Development Speaker Series

Presents

Professor Patrick Cohendet

(Department of International Business, HEC Montreal)

“Epistemic Communities, Localization and the Dynamics of Knowledge Creation”

Sidney Smith Hall 3130

Abstract: This talk aims to clarify how epistemic communities dynamically shape the process of knowledge creation in a localized context and how the evolving interaction between different members of these communities enables knowledge to transit from its locus of emergence to the global market. It is argued that these dynamics rest on a series of clashes between different frames of reference, which enables bits of knowledge to be progressively revealed, enhanced, nurtured, interpreted and enacted collectively. We illustrate our thoughts, using the well‐known case of Cubism to capture the essence of the local development of an epistemic community. We introduce a discussion on the nature of epistemic communities and their interactions with local characteristics, advocating that the local dimension greatly influences the development of epistemic movements. We then analyze how a given localization can “harness” the cognitive work of an epistemic community to derive cultural and economic benefits from it. We conclude with a general discussion of our findings.
Sponsored by the Canada Research Chair in Innovation and Governance

For more information please contact Harald Bathelt (harald.bathelt@utoronto)
or Pierre Desrochers (pierre.desrochers@utoronto.ca)