Theory and practice of regional community based intentional innovation in northern inland New South Wales

Intentional Innovation Communities (IICs) are co-created structures with an overarching aim of achieving the realisation of ideas through a transfer of knowledge process that results in new things, with desirable consequences. IIC structures facilitate idea creation, selection and implementation for the improved prosperity of a community, region, business or group. In this study innovation was investigated and stimulated within the Northern Inland region of New South Wales (NSW), through direct engagement with communities involving initial and follow-up workshops. A series of 11 workshops were held across Armidale, Tamworth, Bingara, Moree and Narrabri, with the intention of facilitating an exchange of knowledge on innovation, enhancing the contextual understanding of innovation capability and developing a model for achieving innovation within the region. Evidence gathered demonstrated that support exists for the development and application of an IIC model to stimulate individual and collective innovation within the region, through co-creation of ideas. The need for appropriate funding, support and resources that might be required to establish an IIC model is considered.