The Networks we see vs the Networks we have: Key Actors and Discourses in Germany’s Wood-Bioeconomy

• In Event: Bioeconomies - Life, Technologies, and Capital in the 21st Century I: Frictions, Values and Prospective Markets Across Global Bioeoconomies

Abstract

Previous studies on bioeconomy networks in Germany have been mainly descriptive and have tended to attribute certain network characteristics to particular forms of observed cooperation (e.g., innovation networks). Moreover, most of these studies are revolving around network structure and fall short of explaining qualitatively complex issues such as actor beliefs, strategies or underlying reasons for actor participation in these networks. The present study aims to reconcile some of these shortcomings and proposes a rethinking of the wood-based bioeconomy network (WBN). Through a series of semi-structured interviews with key actors in the network, this paper attempts to ‘untangle’ the WBN by putting greater emphasis on the discourse of networking and on the strategic content of networking as practice and process. Empirically, this study seeks to: (i) understand what is it that actors network about (i.e., the nature and scope of the WBN) and (ii) explore what kind of beliefs and strategies these central actors bring forward. Theoretically, the discussion endeavors to (partly) reconcile some elements of the old structure vs agency debate in network studies and systematically reflect on the relationship between network discourse and the practices of the ‘observable’ WBN.

Author

• Alex Giurca, Chair of Forest and Environmental Policy, University of Freiburg