STI and DUI modes of innovation in poorly developed RIS. Systemic failures and challenges

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ABSTRACT For a long time, the assessment of regional innovation strength has primarily relied on R&D-based criteria rooted in the Science-Technology-Innovation (STI) mode. Recent innovation research has shown that in innovative and in less innovative regions and in firms of all size, informal DUI (Doing Using interacting) learning activities are also important, particularly with regard to non-technical process, marketing and service innovations. Although there are some studies that have highlighted the key components of DUI-inclined regional support structures, the criteria for assessing the innovative strength of these support structures from a pure DUI perspective are underdeveloped. This paper formulates three key drivers from the perspective of the DUI mode as a conceptual framework for analyzing regional innovative strength. Conceptually, our paper synthesizes the STI and DUI innovation modes, providing a process-oriented view of innovation processes, and incorporates the RIS approach, which emphasizes regional contextual factors in these processes. Methodologically, we draw on a comprehensive review of literature on innovation modes and RIS. Our research illuminates that DUI-based innovation activities benefit significantly from informal structures and institutions within the RIS compared to STI-oriented activities. Consequently, DUI-oriented innovation activities rely more on the regional presence of specialized support structures than their STI-oriented counterparts.