The networks of Norwegian seafood producers discussed above have been an unconditional success with regard to the transfer of knowledge and technology from research environments to industry. However, they have also had an industrial policy, initiative-taking function, both towards governmental authorities and their own industry organizations. In addition - and this is perhaps just as important - they have had important attitude-forming effects among seafood producers in general with regard to appreciating and understanding the importance of knowledge as an absolute necessity for a sustainable and profitable execution of their own business activity.
Can the good experiences from Norway then be transferred to similar network forms for transfer of knowledge and technology, e.g. to small-scale producers in developing countries? There is probably no clear and universal answer to this. As a rule, one must be able to assume that organizations formed for the dissemination of knowledge in a wealthy and highly industrialized country like Norway will not function as a matter of course in less industrially developed societies.
The Norwegian networks are distinctive in that almost without exception, people from the operational part of the business represent the member companies at the network meetings. This involves a particularly relevant prioritization of the tasks and problems one wishes to solve. This creates trust with the authorities, which in turn renders possible larger and more predictable government financial support for the development projects the networks want to start up.
Nonetheless, many of the basic qualities in the networks of Norwegian seafood producers that have been described in this article could probably have positive effects with similar network formations among small-scale producers in less developed countries.
A well-functioning network is also a community. A number of important conditions must therefore be present for the network organization to be able to have results. In order to establish a formal network, the following characteristics must be connected to the network members to the greatest extent possible:
They must have an industrial, cultural and social community.
They must practice their business activity on approximately the same technological level.
They must have equal framework conditions in the practice of their business, e.g. equal rights to fisheries resources.
They must all have the same type of problems and challenges that have to be solved if they are going to achieve better results from the business.
They must define a few prioritized tasks which, if they are solved, can result in an improved yield for all the members.
They must be willing to share their own experiences with the other network members;
They must be willing to help each other in utilizing new knowledge, particularly knowledge acquired through network collaboration.
It is important that the network "is operated" by neutral persons with relevant competence, at the same time as the members exercise a real "ownership" to the network.
If networks of this type are to be created or tested in developing countries, the initiative should come from the appropriate authorities. The preliminary phase must most likely also include considerable information activities around networks as a form of work, the possibilities for achieving and utilizing the results that lie inherent in this type of goal-oriented activity, and which demands must be made of the network participants. During the start-up phase governments must provide financial and organizational support for establishment and operation of the networks, and oversee the establishment of a binding collaboration is established between networks and competence environments such as universities and research institutions with idealistic and non-profit objectives.
Above all it is important to ensure that network participants themselves will have "right of ownership" to the network, with the rights and obligations this entails. The participants must decide which cases are to be given priority and the same participants will have first claim to utilize the results that emerge. Bringing small-scale producers from primary industries into constructive dialogue with researchers and academics will in and of itself be an important contribution for promoting innovation and development in the societies it concerns.
