L' existence d’un écosystème d’innovation en milieu rural : cas de la région de Clare en Nouvelle-Écosse

Abstract

When it comes to innovation, businesses in rural minority communities face more barriers than their counterparts in other areas. An innovation ecosystem (IE) may help to overcome some of these difficulties. This article explores the functioning of an IE in a Francophone minority rural environment, the Clare region of Nova Scotia, by focusing on two questions: How do companies in this region interact with support organizations?  Are these interactions integrated into an IE? The results show that the main actors of an IE are in place but that their presence alone is not sufficient to ensure adequate support. A common platform for meeting and exchange, and an IE leader are still missing. Moreover, the existence of a secrecy culture negatively affects the trust required for fruitful relations and limits exchanges between actors.