When applying for the project ‘Northern Insight’ two PhD courses were planned, both have been delivered by Bodø Graduate School of Business (HHB) at University of Nordland.

The first one was ‘Qualitative camp with focus on tourism research’, it took place in 2010 at Kjerringøy outside Bodø (see article). The second course was organized in relation to the international conference "Nordic Symposium in tourism and hospitality research" taking place in Bodø and Lofoten.

Innovation, consumer research and value creation

17 PhD students participated, from 12 different countries . The course had three main topics, i.e. innovation, consumer research and value creation.

Before the course gathering students made a literature review of the first eight articles in the syllabus, this gave them a shared starting ground.

The course gathering took place between September 22-27 2013, it included lectures, group tasks, presentations of own PhD project, and discussions.

Explored products

In addition the students’ explored products by three different experiencebased firms in the region, i.e. Stella Polaris with rafting to the world’s largest male stream (Saltstraumen); food and Stone Age related experiences at Tuvsjyen; and an experience dinner with dramaturgy by Thon Hotel Svolvær.

Analyzed conference papers

The conference was situated in the middle of the course gathering, and during the conference the students were divided in three groups with the assignment of analyzing conference papers relevant within the three main topics of the course (one group responsible for one main topic).

They documented and reflected upon the papers in regards of: knowledge gaps, use of theoretical and methodological perspectives, and the main contributions of the papers. In addition to that, they should situate themselves (own research) within the debates.

Course paper

On the last day of the course gathering the students presented their findings. The task gave them a more focused participation on the conference and helped them becoming more aware of important factors when doing academic writing. In addition this was a good team work, and well performed. Before the students get the course credits they must write a course paper, relating the syllabus to their own PhD project.

The course managers are associate professor Dorthe Eide (HHB) and professor Lena Mossberg (Gothenburg University and HHB). During the course gathering also the following professors participated as lectures: Lars Fuglsang (University College of Lillehammer and RUC), Nina Prebensen (University of Tromsø), Elisabet Ljunggren (Nordland Research Institute) and Søren Askegaard (University of Southern Denmark).