Smart Specialisation for Economic Change: The Case of Spain

Belen Barroeta,Jaime Del Castillo,Jonatan Paton

doi:10.4468/2015.1.04delcastillo.paton.barroeta

Belen Barroeta, Jaime Del Castillo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4468/2015.1.04delcastillo.paton.barroeta

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Abstract

Smart specialisation concept acquired a remarkable importance in the current regional policy as a model to understand the role of territories in international competitiveness. In fact, the definition of Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) has become an ex ante conditionality for European regional policy in the period 2014-2020. Although the process of definition has been a good opportunity to rethink and improve the policymaking, it has not been out of difficulties and barriers since it is not always easy to translate academic concepts to real policies in the field. These difficulties are analysed from a threefold perspective: the definition, implementation and evaluation of RIS3. These three aspects are seen in the recently finished Spanish RIS3, with specific attention to: priority setting, policy instruments, and evaluation.

Highlights

A territorial development model has arisen focused on territorial search of specialized diversification
These processes accounted for a number of difficulties and limitations that will inevitably determine the success of the implementation stage
We have considered the Spanish regional approach to RIS3 as a good example to analyse these issues since these regions have been proactive and diverse in the way they tackle the process4

Summary

Introduction

A territorial development model has arisen focused on territorial search of specialized diversification This model, known as smart specialization, is achieving remarkable relevance in the current postulates of European Regional Policy to the point of becoming, through the development of a strategy for smart specialization, an ex-ante condition for the Structural Funds in 2014-2020. In this context, European regions carried out a process of definition of these strategies that ended recently with the beginning of the new programming period. − Do the evaluation, monitoring and governance process reflect the postulated proposed by EC? − What are the main conclusions regarding RIS3 versus RIS Strategies?

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Conclusion