The influence of territory on innovations networks characteristics[L’influence du territoire sur les caractéristiques des réseaux d’innovation]

This article examines the influence of the type of area on the development of innovation network. For this research, the tourism industry appears to be a relevant field of study because it is changing. Thus, all these changes compel the different tourism stakeholders to adapt and develop innovations. Moreover, the structure of the activity in the mountain tourism sector is not the same in a high-altitude resort or a middle mountain territory. Little attention has been paid to the networking patterns of different stakeholders in a territory. That is why we are interested in the influence of the type of territory on the development of innovation network. We adopted a qualitative study based on a multiple case study approach. We have chosen nine innovation networks as case studies. In order to assess the influence of the territory, the nine innovation networks are located in two types of resorts: four are located in medium-altitude resorts (Saint Bernard du Touvet, Saint Pierre de Chartreuse, Savoy Grand Revard, and Semnoz), and the other five have been developed within two high-altitude resorts (Tignes and Avoriaz). This research makes a significant contribution to both the spatial development and innovation management literature: indeed, our results show that according to the nature of the territory, innovation networks differ in terms of partners, geographical proximity, and regulation mode. However, the type of territory does not seem to influence the architecture of the network since all the networks studied have a hub firm company in charge of orchestrating the partners.