Learning and innovation in network: online communicative practices of a local enterprise partnership sector group

In 2013 the Sheffield City Region’s Creative and Digital Industries sector group initiated a method of open consultation where any individual or organization could use an online discussion forum to engage in the co-production of the region’s Economic Strategy and Growth Plan. This empirical study examines how regional actors used that online discussion forum to reflect on the range of challenges and practices that directly affect the local enterprise partnership’s development agenda. Participants in the forum were predominantly focused on sharing and co-creating knowledge. In particular, it was found that the postings expressed concerns surrounding three main themes: regional infrastructure for inter-organizational learning, networking events and routes for internationalization. The study provides a renewed theoretical and practical view of network learning, especially related to innovation activities in a regional context.