Systemic instruments for regional intervention in practice: the facilitation of an inventor-investor matchmaking process

Systemic instruments (SIs) focus on identifying obstacles to building innovative systems and finding solutions to these problems. However, the actual use of SIs has not been specifically addressed. Thus, this article seeks to extend SI research by enhancing the understanding of systemic policy intervention in regional practice. It does so by exploring how a policy intermediary operates as a facilitator of an inventor-investor matchmaking process in the context of the maritime industry in the Oslo region of Norway. Based on a narrative methodology, the study presents a novel conceptualisation of a systemic activity termed facilitated matchmaking. This particular activity helped speed up regional innovation and entrepreneurship by connecting and safeguarding the 'right match' from two enabling and related sources identified as: 1) matchmaking of individual competences; 2) matchmaking of network resources. The article concludes by outlining implications for future research on systemic policy instruments and practice.