ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´

Corporate geography

Location strategies and internationalization

Industrial and regional development

Service Economies

Green economies

Circular economy

Industrial design and innovation economies

Education, training and regional development

Selected publications

Books

Haarstad, H. og Rusten, G 2018. Grønn omstilling.  norske veivalg.   Universitetsforlaget

Jones, A., Ström, P., Hermelin, B. and Rusten, G. 2016.  Services and the Green Economy, Palgrave Macmillan, London. 

Hermelin, B and Rusten, G. 2016. Lokal samverkan, tillväxt och omställning. – studier från industriregioner i Sverige och Norge. Linköpings Universitet: Centrum för Kommunstrategiska studier 2016 (ISBN 978-91-7685-784-7) 118 s.

Rusten, G., Potthoff, K. and L. Sangolt. 2013 (eds). Norway: Nature, Industry and Society. Fagbokforlaget, Bergen

Bryson, J.R. and Rusten, G. 2011 Design Economies and the Changing World Economy, Routledge.

Rusten, G. and Bryson, J.R. 2010 (eds) Industrial design, competition andglobalisation, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke.

Rusten, G. and Skerratt, S. 2007 (eds) Information and Communication Technologies in Rural Society. In Routhledge Studies in Technology, Work and Organizations.

Rusten, G., Iversen, N.M og Hem, L.E 2007. Våronn med nye muligheter. Ressurs- og opplevelsesbasert verdiskaping på vestlandsbygdene, Fagbokforlaget: Bergen.

Aarset, B. og Rusten, G. (2007 red): Aquakultur: havbruk på norsk. Fagbokforlaget. Bergen.

Selected book chapters

Rusten, G. and Tvedt, H.L.2018. Hvordan kan næringslivet bidra til en grønn omstilling? I Haarstad, H. and Rusten G. (red) Grønn omstilling  norske veivalg, Universitetsforlaget, 79-97-

Rusten, G. and Hermelin, B. 2016. Regionale strategier og samarbeid om sosiale innovasjoner i fagopplæringen –eksempelet TAF i Nordhordland. I: Region og regionalisering. Perspektiv og Praksis. NOVUS Forlag 2016 ISBN 978-82-7099-872-2, s 165-189.

Rusten, G. 2016. The structure, strategy and geography of Green Certification Services. I Jones,A., Ström P., Hermelin, B. and Rusten, G. (eds): Services and the Green Economy. Palgrave Macmillan 2016 ISBN 978-1-137-53708-0, 51-73.

Jones, A, Ström, P., Hermelin, B. and Rusten G. 2016. Introduction: Services and the Green Economy. I Services and the Green Economy: Palgrave Macmillan 2016 ISBN 978-1-137-53708-0, 51-73, p 1-22.

Jones, A. Ström P, Hermlin, B. and Rusten, G. 2016. The Central role of Services in the Greening of the Economy, Conclusion: The Role of Services in the Greening of the Economy: I Jones,A., Ström P., Hermelin, B. and Rusten, G. (eds): Services and the Green Economy. Palgrave Macmillan 2016 ISBN 978-1-137-53708-0, 51-73.   P 297-308.

Hermelin, B and Rusten, G. 2015. Service Economy, Geography of  In: Wright, J.D (editor- of-chief)International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, Second Edition, Elsevier, pp 648-653.

Rusten, G. 2008. Designtjenester og geografi. s 223-242 I: Isaksen, A. Karlsen, A og Sæther, B. (red): Innovasjoner i norske næringer. – Et geografisk perspektiv. Fagbokforlaget, Bergen.

Rusten, G. and Bryson, J.R. (2007) ‘Understanding the relationship between information communication technology and the behaviour of firms located in regional clusters’, in Bryson, J.R. and Daniels, P.W. (eds) The Handbook of Service Industries in the Global Economy, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar: 311-330.

Rusten, G. og Stensheim, I. 2007. Teknologitutvikling og design blant leverandører til oppdrettsnæringen. I: Aarset, B. og Rusten, G. (red): Aquakultur: havbruk på norsk. Fagbokforlaget. Bergen.

Bryson, J.R and Rusten, G. 2006. Spatial divisions of expertise and transnational `service´ firms: aerospace and management consultancy. In: Harrington, J.W. and Daniels, P.W. (red): Knowledge-Based Services, Internatonalization and Regional Development. 79-100. Ashgate 12/06.

Rusten, G. Film og regional utvikling i Norge. I: Dahlstrøm. M. 2005. Film och regional utveckling i Norden. 145-177. Nordregio, Svenska Filminstitutet, Stockholm.

Rusten, G. 2004. Hovedkontorlokalisering og regional utvikling. I. Lindkvist, K.B.: Ressurser og omstilling – et geografisk perspektiv på regional omstilling i Norge. 163-197, Fagbokforlaget Bergen

Rusten, G. 2004. IKT, foretak og næringsklynger s 129-144.. I: Arbo, P. og Gammelsæter, H. (red): Innovasjonspolitikkens scenografi. Nye perspektiver på næringsutvikling. Tapir akademisk forlag,, Trondheim.

Norges offentlige utredninger 2004:02 Effekter og effektivitet. Effekter av statlig innsats for regional utvikling og distriktspolitiske mål. Kommunal- og regionaldepartementet 29. Januar 2004. Oslo

Selected journal articles

Rusten, G. and Hermelin, B. 2017. Cross-sector collaboration in upper secondary school vocational education:  experiences from two industrial towns in Sweden and Norway. Journal of Education and Work, 2017. 

Haarstad, H. and Rusten, G, 2016. The challenges of greening energy: policy/industry dissonance at the Mongstad refinery, Norway.  Environment and Planning: C Government and Policy. 34.2, 340-355.

Rusten, G, and OverÃ¥, R. 2014. Local and Global Geographies of Innovation: Structures, Processes, and Geographic Context from a Firm Perspective. Growth and Change, Vol 45, No 3. 403-411. 

Bruland, S.K. and Rusten, G. (2012). Sourcing strategies, channels and geographies in the international recruitment of a higly skilled work-force. A case study of companies in the petroleum and maritime sectors in a non-urban location in Norway. Erdkunde 66.1.1-11.

Rusten, G. and Bryson, J.R.2010. Placing and spacing services: towards a balanced economic geography of firms, clusters, social networks, contracts and the geographies of enterprise. Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie, Vol. 101, 248-261.

Hermelin, B. and Rusten, G. 2007. The organizational and territorial changes of services in a globalized world. Geografiska Annaler, Series B: Human Geography Vol. 89 issues1 1-5.

Rusten, G. Bryson, J.R and Aarflot. U. 2007. Place through products and product through places. Industry design and Spatial symbols as sources of competitiveness. Norwegian Journal of Geography, 61.3. 133-144.

Rusten, G. and Bryson, J.R. (2007) ‘The production and Consumption of Industrial Design Expertise by Small- and Medium Sized Firms: Some Evidence from Norway’, Geografiska Annaler. Series B, Human Geography.

Rusten, G., Bryson, J.R. og Gammelsæter, H. (2005) ’Dislocated versus local business service expertise and knowledge: the acquisition of external management consultancy expertise by small and medium-sized enterprises in Norway’, Geoforum, 36: 525-539.

Jakobsen, S-E., Rusten, G. and Fløysand, A. 2005. How green is the Valley? Foreign direct investment in two Norwegian Industrial Towns, Canadian Geographer, Volume 49, 244-259.

Hansen, H-T. and Rusten, G. 2005. Arbeidskontorenes kontakt med næringslivet. Tidsskrift for Velferdsforskning, nr 1/2005. 34-46.

Sunnevåg, K.J., Rusten, G. and Ektvedt, T.M.2004. Fritt brukervalg i Norge. Nordisk Administrativt Tidsskrift, 85.2, 65-79. Sunnevåg, K.J., Rusten, G. 2004. Water rights in Norway. A time for change? International Journal of Regulation and Governance, 4 (1) 1-22.

Rusten, G. Gammelsæter, H., Bryson, J.R. (2004) ‘Combinational and Dislocated Knowledges and the Norwegian Client Consultant Relationship’, Service Industries Journal 24.1: 155-170.

Rusten, G. 2000. Geography of outsourcing: Business service provisions among firms in Norway. Journal of economic and social geography TESG Vol. 91, no2. 122-134.

Rusten, G. 1996. The role of geographic concentration in promoting competitive advantage. The Norwegian furniture industry. Norsk geogr. Tidsskr. Vol. 51, 173-185.

Rusten, G.1991. Hvorfor flytter hovedkontorer? Nordisk Samhällsgeogr. Tidskr. 14, pp. 29-34.  

Selected reports

Rusten, G. og Eldegard, T. 2008. Mulighetsanalyse for Nordhordland. Et regionalt industrielt perspektiv. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning. Rapport 17/08, Bergen.

Rusten, G. og Eldegard, T. 2007. De små ingeniørbedriftenes rolle i verdiskaping og næringsutvikling. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning. Rapport 18/07, Bergen.

Andersen, C. Rusten, G. og Stensheim, I. 2006. Regionale virkninger av kulturhusprosjektet innOvata i Volda, Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning rapport 31/06.

Stensheim, I. og Rusten, G. Hordaland på nett – Kommunenes hjemmesidestrategier og profilering. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, Workingpaper nr 49/06.

Rusten, G. Eldegard, T. 2006. Mongstadklyngen; Del 1: Industrielle og regionale utfordringer og muligheter med utgangspunkt i det eksisterende næringsliv: Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, rapport 27/06

Karlsen, J.E. Quale, C., Rusten, G. and Jakobsen, S-E: 2005. Hvordan styrke gassregion Rogaland/Hordaland?, RF, Rogaland Research, rapport 16/05. 60 p.

Osland, O. and Rusten, G. 2005. Energiverk Mongstad i næringsøkonomisk perspektiv. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, rapport 02/05. 77p.

Rusten, G. 2004 Verdiskaping på Vestlandet, Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning (SNF), rapport, 10/04.

Rusten, G. 2004. Internasjonalisering, globalisering og regional utvikling- strategier og utfordringer for næringslivet. Notat/foredrag utarbeidet for Distriktskommisjonen, SNF Populærvitenskaplig særtrykk nr. 6/2004. 10 s.

Rusten, G. og Eldegard, T. 2003. Regionale effekter av statlig politikk i kraftsektoren. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, arbeidsnotat, 21/03

Rusten, G. 2003. Regionale og distriktspolitiske effekter av statlig politikk på postområdet. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, arbeidsnotat 7/03

Rusten, G. 2003. Norske bedrifters etableringer i utlandet og det offentliges rolle i forhold til disse investeringene. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, workingpaper 6/03.

Rusten, G. og Hansen. H-T. 2002. Langtidsledighet et bruker- og etatsperspektiv. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, rapport. 54/02.

Sunnevåg, K.J., Rusten, G. og Sørgard. L. 2002. Harmonisering av hjemfallsvilkår og konsesjonslengde:Skattemessige og næringspolitiske aspekter. Samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, rapport, 20/02.

Rusten, G, Kvinge T. og S-E. Jakobsen 1999. Internasjonalt eierskap i norsk næringsliv. Omfang og effekter nasjonalt og regionalt. Stiftelsen for samfunns- og Næringslivsforskning 24/99, 152 pp.

Rusten, G og E. Kjerstad 1999. Kvaliteten på landsdekkende posttjenester – Måleindikatorer og metoder. Stiftelsen for samfunns- og næringslivsforskning, rapport 3/99 66 pp

Green public procurement

With its substantial spending power, the public sector can contribute to green societal transitions through the adaptation of green public procurement (GPP). Procurement can be linked to goods, services and infrastructure. Measures towards a green transformation include conversion to adjustment or development of completely new products and production methods. The topic also involve transformation to a more circular economy.This research with focus on the municipality sector discusses the potential and challenges relating to GPP and how ‘successful projects’ can provide a better understanding of how the elements of the GPP process comes together, especially in relation to innovation.  Another topic in this field of research addresses the way public procurement involves circular arrangements to reduce environmental impact through use, reuse, and recycling. However, the study discusses how efficiency measures can lead to unintended consequences that reduce or cancel out motivated environmental benefits by causing so-called rebound effects. Our results demonstrate a multitude of explanations to how and why rebound effects are taking place, but still not taken into the account neither in the procurement decision process or stage of evaluation. This is a collaboration between Grete Rusten and Ingelinn M. Gundersen at ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´.

Industrial symbioses: Strategies and dilemmas seen in an industrial and regional planning perspective

In this project, industrial symbiosis as a scientific concept is elucidated. Next, planning and practice regarding localization, organization, composition, and connections of production systems are discussed. This study is about the development of industrial parks that promote value creation, efficient, sustainable and circular energy and material flows. Planning is also about ensuring a space-friendly location in relation to nature and the environment, and a favourable location in relation to local infrastructure and settlements. Today's business park planning is based on promoting circularity, and that is conditional on which businesses are invited, co-located and connected.  It is about finding the recipe for robust industrial solutions that benefit sustainable social development, while commercial "mayflies" are weeded out. "New" types of infrastructure and types of workplaces in these parks will also constitute relevant planning topics. The empirical data includes industrial parks in different phases of development, illustrating various dilemmas and complex conditions related to the planning process. Regulatory roles, prerequisites and experience with this type of establishment constitute important components of the planning work. 

Industrial symbioses can be linked to the restructuring of existing industrial clusters, but also to the construction of completely new parks.  The project is part of a book in progress linked to the course titled Regional planning and Role Understanding Complex Planning Situations. This is digital continuing and further education education program organized by geographers at University of Bergen, the University of Agder and NTNU. The course is in Norwegian.

Coworking and regional development

Coworking spaces is increasingly branded as a flexible office arrangement for sole practitioners, entrepreneurs, or employees in various sectors. 

A key question is whether these visits lead to spontaneous professional collaboration or is just being an available office place for working alone side by side with others. It concerns the composition of the members, individual characteristics, competence, and expectations about collaboration. Forms of interaction has also to do with the business concept, ownership, and organizational arrangements. Another dimension concerns the geographical setting. Some coworking concepts are destinations where work can be combined with recreation activities. Coworking can be a way of introducing a place to potential new inhabitants or be an industrial initiative that attracts business startups.This ongoing research aims focus on the different managerial approaches, practices and outcomes folds out in less urbanized locations. Data includes a quantitative account of coworking businesses in Norway along with indebt case studies based on fieldwork interviews representing different business concepts. 

The research team includes Grete Rusten, Knut Hilde and Elisabeth Kjærstad Husa. The latter has written a master's thesis. Knowledge from the study has also been an important input in phase 2 of the project, which includes research dissemination and guidance to municipalities in Finnmark that want to develop  several coworking facilities in their region.

VET-education og industry

Skills development and employment are very important components for regional development and restructuring of industries.The project have a particular focus on the role that upper secondary schools and enterprises, individually and in collaboration, can have for education and practical training.

Our research on skills development and employment in the context of regional development has been a key topic in economic geography, and has recently included two different projects and sources of funding. Grete Rusten has from 2013-2018 participated in a study led by  at Linköping University, and which has specifically addressed the collaboration between industry and education in relation to vocational training in upper secondary school. The study, which has been funded by the Swedish Research Council, has focused on initiative and organisation of theory and practice, but also on factors such as regional robustness and lock-in effects in business development of the observed educational models. The Swedish study has included Industrial Upper Secondary Schools (FinspÃ¥ng and Mjölby), while the Norwegian study has looked specifically at the TAF model (Nordhordland). The industrial sites in both countries are pioneer cases when it comes to the development of these aforementioned educational programmes, both of which are based on cooperation between industry and schools in vocational training.

Both education models are so-called dual in their orientation. TAF (also labelled YSK), which is the focus of the Norwegian project, is a 4-year education course that combines general and vocational subjects in teaching and practical training given at school, and practice as an apprentice in the workplace (dual in relation to professional content and training arenas). The TAF-education provides competence and a trade certificate that qualifies directly for working life, while the theoretical additional subjects provide a diploma that qualifies for further education at colleges and universities (double diploma). Nordhordland is the place where the idea of TAF was first initiated by schools and industry in 1992, but which has later become an educational offer that can be found in around 20 industrial sites in Norway. Most of the TAF-education is technical, but health and upbringing have gradually been added.  The study, which includes the technical and craft-based subjects, analyses organisation, practice and experiences in the region. In connection with this, a career study of people who have taken this education over the years is also included.

In a follow-up project: Competence and education in Nordhordland, structures, cooperation and experience from the region (2018-2019), Grete Rusten together with research colleagues Kari Elida Eriksen (ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ now UiTø), and Gro Marit Grimsrud (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences) have carried out a comprehensive empirical analysis based on quantitative figures and interview data, and which addresses the organisation, motivations, strategies and practices related to the upper secondary education offered.  Experience in this region shows that the strength of the various training programmes is business anchoring, commitment and cooperation across institutions and industries.  The study adresseses how weaknesses of the education programmes are partly related to a lack of "patient" capital from the public authorities when new courses are to be launched.  Many of the companies are actively involved in influencing the education portfolio.  However, it is also important to get more of the smaller businesses on board, and not least identify the needs of the working life of the future.  This speak in favour of the development of supplementary training models.