Regional systems of innovation: lessons from the biotechnology clusters in Belgium and Germany

Abstract

Prior research shows that innovation performance is linked to system, collaboration and networking. There is a growing attention for open innovation. However, the interplay between regional systems of innovation, technology clustering, disruptive business models and open innovation practices is not sufficiently addressed in the global entrepreneurship and technology innovation literature. There is an absence of studies that look at strategic partnerships – and specifically the role of open innovation – in the development of regional technology clusters and novel business models. We observe that biotechnological firms have been engaged in open innovation for a long time by clustering and intensive partnering to innovate with knowledge from inside and outside the firms. In other words, they have been engaging in open innovation. This paper presents a case study of biotechnology clusters in Belgium and Germany. The focus is on the interplay between new biotechnology firms, strategic alliances and open innovation, within a regional system of innovation context. In particular, the article looks at the case-based evidence from biotechnology-related industrial or regional economic cluster policies.