The business enabling network – a tool for regional development

This paper presents the business enabling network model (BEN), which can be utilised in the regional development activities in order to evaluate the current state of a network, and to plan and select development actions to be taken. The BEN model illustrates the networking concept through five elements, which are: A group of regional actors that should be able to work intentionally must have a common goal that guides the operations and decisions. Working together efficiently insists mutual trust between actors. In order to make business at all in the network there must be competencies that can be utilised to fulfil customer needs. Appropriate infrastructure is prerequisite for the successful business. Finally, continuity, that is, the network must renew itself to sustain its competitiveness.