The intended objectives of Smartspec Work Package 1 are firstly to identify related variety and value chain components within EU regions to inform specialisation choices and secondly, to identify the role of organisations and their interaction for the development of entrepreneurial discovery and to assess the role of network connectivity in facilitating intra- and extra-regional asset combination. In order to examine the various questions regarding the network and institutional factors enhancing or mitigating entrepreneurial search processes, in this work package we employ a twin-track multimethodology approach comprised of two parallel streams of enquiry, one of which is primarily empirical and quantitative in nature, and one of which is rather more conceptual and qualitative in nature. Each of these parallel streams of work is designed to progress and develop alongside the other, with various junctures built into the programme for mutual reflection and cross-fertilisation of ideas.