Learning regions in an evolutionary context: policymaking for high technology firms

Abstract

We address learning capability in regions or countries with regard to enhancing high-technology economic activity. We adopt an evolutionary perspective, enabling a focus on uncertainty stemming from a complex system and a dynamic multi-actor situation, and to deal with path dependency. First, we discuss public policy making by taking governments as learning organisations in the design and implementation of policies for knowledge-based economic growth. Secondly, we consider needs of small high-technology firms and implications of these for regional knowledge policies. Thirdly, we analyse a particular policy to enhance knowledge-based economic growth in the Netherlands, i.e. concerning biotechnology start-ups, and consider this policy critically from an evolutionary perspective. It appears that after a few years various learning strategies have been adopted, but that others still need to be undertaken. The paper concludes with a discussion on what additional insights can be achieved in policy analysis by using an evolutionary view.