Regional Innovation Systems Approach Research Articles

Perceived usefulness of innovation programs for high‐tech and low‐tech firms

PurposeDespite the sizable amount of previous research on this topic, little is known about the reasons why firms decide to start collaboration projects with innovation advanced service providers, such as universities and technological institutes. This paper aims to investigate which factors at an individual firm level are involved in these collaborative strategies on supporting product and management improvements offered by local institutions to innovative firms.Design/methodology/approachThe research is contextualized in the Valencian region and applies the resource based view and the regional innovation system approach as theoretical frameworks. Methodologically, the paper adopts a cross‐sectional analysis and employs ordered regression models on a sample of innovative firms during 2009.FindingsFirstly, this paper endorses previous research suggesting the crucial role of cooperation and external knowledge on SME innovation. Secondly, it evidences how internal resources and capabilities determine a firm's use of public supported innovation. Thirdly, previous experience appears to be extremely relevant in explaining successful engagement in both technological and managerial innovation programs.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the case study approach and qualitative methodologies are used, the authors advise readers not to generalize their findings. The research on the subject matter is offered as a means to substantiate or refute the latest research premises, and provide empirical evidence on the selected region.Originality/valueAlthough this paper corroborates recent contributions, it does provide some novel findings. High‐level managerial capabilities seem to discourage the use of public programs supporting innovation practices (either in technological or managerial aspects), while engagement in university programs relies heavily on the firm's technological capabilities or exposure to global competition, and less on other characteristics. Policy makers should pay particular attention to both pieces of evidence when designing programs.

Universities’ functions in knowledge transfer: a geographical perspective

Universities’ functions in knowledge transfer have been thoroughly investigated by scholars from different disciplines in the last decades. However, a complete picture of universities’ contribution to regional, national and international knowledge transfer is still missing. In this paper, we pull together the strings of various scholarly works produced by economic geographers, economists, regional scientists and others, thereby taking stock of achievements and shortcomings and elaborating avenues for further scientific work. We analyse the various functions of universities by using four conceptual frameworks, namely the regional innovation systems approach, the new production of technology theory, the triple helix model and social network theory. These different frameworks help to integrate the functions of universities into local-regional, national and international relationships theoretically. Empirically, universities’ relationships have been investigated by case studies, surveys and increasingly by social network analysis. Our exercise results in a critical discussion of a predominantly regional focus of investigation. Looking at knowledge transfer from a regional, national and international perspective leads to a different way of developing theoretical concepts and matching them with empirical tools. In particular, we find that social network analysis and its theoretical basis, i.e., social network theory, will give more body to understanding knowledge transfer functions of universities.

Distance, Proximity and Types of Cross-border Innovation Systems: A Conceptual Analysis

Lundquist K.-J. and Trippl M. Distance, proximity and types of cross-border innovation systems: a conceptual analysis, Regional Studies. Due to a lack of both theoretical and systematic empirical work, innovation-driven integration processes in cross-border areas are still poorly understood. Departing from the regional innovation system (RIS) approach, recent work on different forms of proximity, and the literature on cross-border areas, this paper seeks to identify in a conceptual way different stages in the development of cross-border innovation systems and to highlight the main characteristics and barriers characterizing each phase. The conceptual model proposed in this paper can serve as a useful framework, guiding more systematic and comparative empirical work on cross-border innovation systems in different regional and national contexts. Lundquist K.-J. and Trippl M. 距离、毗邻性以及跨界创新系统的类型：概念分析框架，区域研究。由于缺少理论以及系统性经验研究，人们对于跨界区域中由创新带动的整合过程仍然知之甚少。目前的研究集中于区域创新系统方法（RIS）、毗邻性的不同形式以及跨界区域，本文试图从理论层面明确跨界创新系统发展的不同阶段，强调不同阶段的主要特征以及障碍。本文提出的概念模型可作为有用的框架以指导在不同的区域以及国家背景下对跨界创新系统进行系统及比较性经验研究。 创新带动的整合 跨界区域 区域创新系统 Lundquist K.-J. et Trippl M. La distance, la proximité et les systèmes transfrontaliers d'innovation: une analyse conceptuelle, Regional Studies. À cause d'un manque de recherche empirique à la fois théorique et systématique, les processus d'intégration déterminés par l'innovation dans les zones transfrontalières sont toujours mal compris. S'éloignant de l'approche des systèmes régionaux d'innovation, de la recherche récente sur la proximité, et de la documentation sur les zones transfrontalières, cet article cherche à identifier de façon conceptuelle les différentes étapes du développement des systèmes transfrontaliers d'innovation et à souligner les principaux traits et barrières qui s'imposent à chaque étape. Le modèle conceptuel proposé peut servir de cadre, pilotant ainsi de la recherche empirique plus systématique et comparative sur les systèmes transfrontaliers d'innovation dans des contextes régionaux et nationaux différents. Intégration déterminée par l'innovation Zones transfrontalières Systèmes régionaux d'innovation Lundquist K.-J. und Trippl M. Entfernung, Nähe und Arten von grenzübergreifenden Innovationssystemen: eine konzeptuelle Analyse, Regional Studies. Wegen eines Mangels an theoretischen und systematischen empirischen Arbeiten herrscht noch immer ein mangelndes Verständnis von innovationsbedingten Integrationsprozessen in grenzübergreifenden Gebieten. In Abweichung vom Ansatz des regionalen Innovationssystems, den aktuellen Arbeiten über verschiedene Formen der Nähe und der Literatur über grenzübergreifende Gebiete werden in diesem Beitrag auf konzeptuelle Weise verschiedene Phasen in der Entwicklung von grenzübergreifenden Innovationssystemen identifiziert und die wichtigsten Merkmale und Hindernisse der einzelnen Phasen hervorgehoben. Das in diesem Beitrag vorgeschlagene konzeptuelle Modell kann als nützlicher Rahmen und als Orientierung für systematischere und vergleichende empirische Arbeiten über grenzübergreifende Innovationssysteme in verschiedenen regionalen und nationalen Kontexten dienen. Innovationsbedingte Integration Grenzübergreifende Gebiete Regionale Innovationssysteme Lundquist K.-J. y Trippl M. Distancia, proximidad y tipos de sistemas de innovación transfronterizos: un análisis conceptual, Regional Studies. Debido a una falta de trabajo empírico, tanto teórico como sistemático, se siguen sin entender los procesos de integración impulsados por la innovación en zonas transfronterizas. A diferencia del concepto del sistema de innovación regional (SIR), del trabajo reciente sobre las diferentes formas de proximidad y de la bibliografía sobre zonas transfronterizas, el objetivo de este artículo es identificar de modo conceptual las diferentes fases en el desarrollo de sistemas de innovación transfronterizos y destacar las características y los obstáculos principales que caracterizan cada fase. El modelo conceptual propuesto en este artículo puede servir de estructura útil, guiando un trabajo empírico más sistemático y comparativo sobre los sistemas transfronterizos de innovación en diferentes contextos regionales y nacionales. Integración impulsada por la innovación Zonas transfronterizas Sistemas de innovación regional

The Emergence of the Norwegian Solar Photovoltaic Industry in a Regional Perspective

Norway has built up a remarkable solar photovoltaic (PV) industry over the last 15 years with central industrial players such as the Renewable Energy Corporation Group and Elkem. Norwegian companies are mainly active in manufacturing materials for solar cells, but also other elements of the value chain for solar PVs, such as manufacturing of solar cells, recycling of silicone and of solar cells have become a business target. Analyses of industry and innovation dynamics in renewable energy technology have been dominated by the technological innovation systems (TISs) approach. This paper seeks to complement existing TIS analyses by drawing explicitly on the regional innovation system approach to analyse the spatially differentiated development of solar PV industry in Norway. The historical account of the Norwegian PV industry and network analyses of its knowledge dynamics display a marked spatial pattern of both intra- and inter-regional industrial development. With its origin in Oslo-based Elkem, an industrial branching process took place which partly reinforced the Oslo region as a localized cluster for the PV industry and partly initiated the built-up of industrial activities in other regions. The latter process illustrates how PV industry emergence drew on knowledge spillovers from incumbent process industries through related variety. In contrast, the former drew to a great extent on urbanization advantages because of the regional knowledge infrastructure in and around Oslo. While this spatial unevenness perhaps has facilitated the built-up of industry, it also poses considerable limitations and challenges in the longer term.

Renewable Energy Innovation and Governance in Wales: A Regional Innovation System Approach

This paper draws on research commissioned to investigate the regional innovation system of Wales on green innovation, focusing on the renewable energy sub-sectors of wind, solar and biomass. It shows how many innovative firms operate within regional networks, cooperating and interacting not only with other firms such as suppliers, customers and competitors, but also with research and technology resource organizations, innovation support agencies, venture capital funds, and local and regional government bodies. The paper argues that within the region there is the presence of various renewable energy production platforms, usually based on core technologies (wind, solar, biomass, marine, etc.) at different levels of development. They involve a mix of established energy utilities and new sustainable energy businesses that are positioned at different levels within the renewable energy supply chain. The research shows that the regional government is playing an important role in supporting the renewable energy industry; nevertheless, more needs to be done to facilitate planning control, provide skills and create new demands for renewable energy that will further foster business growth and further strengthen the existing manufacturing base and innovation in Wales. The paper identifies some weaknesses in the Welsh energy innovation system, not least that energy is not a devolved responsibility and it argues that there is some scope for the Welsh Assembly Government to further investigate gaps within the green innovation supply chain and act on strengthening regional capabilities within the industry but also to support and investigate further opportunities for inward investment.

Региональные инновационные системы: опыт Финляндии

The paper examines governmental strategies, main actors and instruments of innovation policies shaping innovation-driven economy in Finland, with particular attention to the regional scale. The analysis focuses on how the regional innovation systems approach became a framework for the design of innovation policies. An innovation system involves cooperation between firms and knowledge creating and diffusing organizations, – such as universities, colleges, training organizations, R&D-institutes, technology transfer agencies. Innovations are considered as interactive learning process. Cooperation and interaction between regional/local and national/international actors is necessary to combine both local and non-local knowledge, skills and competences. The key elements of the policy environment, as well as implementation of the main regional innovation policy instruments – the Centers of Expertise Programme and Regional Centre Programme – are described.

Relationships between vocational training centres and industrial SMEs in the Basque Country: a regional innovation system approach

Purpose: The aim of this document is to analyse the reach of the relation between vocational training (VT) centres and industrial SMEs in the Basque Country (Spain), and its influence on innovation processes developed by companies.

Relationships between vocational training centres and industrial SMEs in the Basque Country: a Regional Innovation System approach

Relationships between vocational training centres and industrial SMEs in the Basque Country: a Regional Innovation System approach

Regional Innovation Systems: Theory, Empirics and Policy

Asheim B. T., Lawton Smith H. and Oughton C. Regional innovation systems: theory, empirics and policy, Regional Studies. Interest in regional innovation systems has grown significantly over the past three decades driven partly by advances in theoretical analysis, partly by the growing interest in innovation as a source of competitive advantage, and partly by the need for new policies to address regional inequalities and divergence. This article explores the elements and characteristics that exemplify the regional innovation systems approach. It provides an appraisal and synthesis of the regional innovation systems paradigm and aims to shed light on a number of areas where theoretical, empirical and policy-based questions remain unanswered. It outlines and assesses the major strands in recent theoretical and empirical debates and discusses how they might be developed to contribute to the further advancement of the regional innovation systems literature. Three interrelated questions form the key themes arou...

Knowledge Networks in an Uncompetitive Region: SME Innovation and Growth

ABSTRACTKnowledge networks are now recognised as a crucial element underlying the economic success and competitiveness of geographic locations, in particular regions. The aim of this paper is to assess the types of knowledge networks utilised and formed by knowledge‐based small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in the relatively uncompetitive regional setting of Yorkshire and Humberside in the UK. It explores the relationship between knowledge networking activity and the levels of innovation and growth achieved by these SMEs. It is found that SMEs tend to utilise and value more knowledge networks with actors outside the region. However, more innovative SMEs possess a balance of inside and outside the region knowledge networks. Knowledge networking activity is sometimes negatively associated with growth, suggesting that networks with certain actors, such as public sector support agencies, may be formed by SMEs when they are facing competitive pressures. In terms of policy implications, the paper recommends a shift from the cluster policies implemented by many regional authorities to a regional innovation systems approach, focusing equally on the regional and more global dimensions of knowledge networks. It is concluded that regional public policy makers need to renew their efforts to support SMEs in creating and sustaining their knowledge networks.

Putting Constructed Regional Advantage into Swedish Practice

This paper presents a study of the pre-history and evolution of a regional innovation system initiative supporting activities at the intersection of traditional food production and modern biotechnology. Drawing on established ideas on the triple helix of industry, university and government and its impact on innovative capacity (as they are formulated in the regional innovation systems approach) and more recently introduced ideas on “differentiated industrial knowledge bases”, the study illustrates how regional innovation system support initiatives are formulated and implemented in close dialogue with the actors and activities constituting the systems under support. The initiative analysed in this paper is a good example of pro-active and fine-tuned regional innovation policy, referred to as “constructed regional advantage”. By focusing on an initiative targeting the renewal of a mature industry in a declining phase of its life cycle, the paper fills a gap in the literature which so far has dealt mostly with emerging industries at the start of their life cycle. Two innovation trajectories that contributed to the formulation of the initiative, and now benefits from it, are used to illustrate the arguments.

SPATIAL SPILLOVERS AND THE GROWTH OF KNOWLEDGE INTENSIVE SERVICES

ABSTRACTKnowledge intensive services (KIS) have grown rapidly across Europe in recent years and are often regarded as critical to economic growth and knowledge diffusion. This paper focuses on the factors determining spatial variations in the growth of these services. Combining insights from the regional innovation systems approach and modern growth theory, it is argued that local economic diversity may be beneficial to the growth of KIS. An empirical study of Great Britain over the period 1991–2002 reveals significant regional variations, with rapid growth occurring in a central cluster and major urban areas. The results of an empirical model provide support for the positive impact of diversity on employment growth but no evidence of a positive effect of sector specialisation. From a policy perspective, the analysis suggests that greater attention needs to be devoted to enhancing economic diversity and understanding sector specific effects.

Regional Transformation Processes through the Universities—Institutions—Industry Relationship

The purpose of this paper is, first, to highlight the role of the relationships between universities, institutions and firms in different regional development processes working towards a knowledge economy, and, second, to draw some implications for local policy makers. Adopting the regional innovation system (RIS) approach, the authors analyse selected regions – Cambridge (UK), Baden-Württemberg (Germany), Göteborg, (Sweden), Singapore, Milwaukee (USA) and Pittsburgh (USA) – which in the last two decades have undergone a process of economic and industrial renewal. From their analysis of the regional transformation process, they classify three different regional development paths defined respectively as ‘RIS-into’, ‘RIS-from’ and ‘RIS-through’ processes. Some common features emerge. In the process of regional development cooperation among universities, institutions and firms is essential. In particular, local universities play a crucial role in providing highly-educated people, research and spin-off activities. Thus universities are able to foster knowledge spillovers and interact constructively with firms. These interactions are nurtured and promoted by local policy makers.

Regional innovation systems in Asian countries: A new way of exploiting the benefits of transnational corporations

SummaryThis paper argues for the importance of using the regional innovation systems (RIS) approach as both an analytical framework and a policy tool for generating economic development in developing countries. The paper reconceptualizes the RIS model to developing countries. RIS is normally based on endogenous growth models; however, in this paper we extend it to external capital, transnational knowledge sources and transnational corporations (TNCs). In particular we stress in this paper:(a) the importance of developing firm and regional absorptive capacity;(b) the importance of embedding TNCs in the region; and(c) regional policies for attaining these goals.These factors, we argue, are important for achieving sustainable economic development, building on exogenous sources of capital and knowledge. Finally, we illustrate the relevance of RIS for analyzing as well as formulating regional development policies by referring to two of Asia’s most significant cases: the regional innovation systems of Shanghai (China) and Bangalore (India).

The Institutional Limits to Multifunctional Agriculture: Subnational Governance and Regional Systems of Innovation

The author adopts a regional innovation systems approach to examine how subnational governance is implicated in the promotion of multifunctional agricultural strategies in England. Multifunctionality has been advocated as a pivotal concept for orchestrating the promotion of so-called ‘postproductivist’ agricultural policies, with researchers identifying different interpretations in European states based upon national political priorities and production structures. However, to date no attempt has been made to conceptualise the institutional capacities required to deliver this innovative policy mandate, or to assess the challenges confronting regional governance in the translation of opaque multifunctional discourses into concrete, implementable, policies. These critically important research issues are examined with the aid of primary and secondary datasets derived from the English East Midlands.

Regions, Absorptive Capacity and Strategic Coupling with High-Tech TNCs

This article is concerned with what conditions successful development of high-tech regions in developing countries. It argues that the recent regional turn in development studies should be welcomed as regions play an increasingly important role for high-tech industries in developed and developing countries. While acknowledging the insights stemming from the regional turn the article nevertheless argues the need to extent the theoretical perspectives and to apply a regional innovation systems (RIS) approach. RIS has its strength in theoretically linking regions and high-tech industries. This article contextualises RIS to the situations characterising developing countries. Special attention is paid to how regions in developing countries can engage in a strategic coupling with high-tech TNCs. The importance of RIS as an analytical approach and tool for policy prescription is illustrated by two Asian high-tech cases, namely Bangalore's IT RIS in India and Shanghai's high-tech RIS in China.

Regionally asymmetric knowledge capabilities and open innovation: Exploring ‘Globalisation 2’—A new model of industry organisation

This paper proposes to review and assess social scientific debate about the origins and nature of innovation in modern society. It focuses on three sub-sets of conceptualisation, critique and commentary that refer specifically to sub-national or regional innovation systems. Research in the latter field has grown enormously in recent years. Moreover, new perspectives from other disciplines than regional science have been promoted. One distinctive view of relevance in that it is focused on the role in innovation of specific ‘entrepreneurial universities’ in relation to industry and government is, of course, the ‘Triple Helix’ approach. This is reviewed and sympathetically critiqued. A second view, less sympathetically critiqued here, is one that itself attacks all so-called ‘new regionalism’ for stressing the importance of institutions, industry embeddedness and the micro-science of regional economic development. Dazzled by ‘Globalisation 1’ and the totalising power of ‘scale’ geographies, this rejection of the worth of spatial analysis at less than the global or national ‘scalar envelope’ is assessed for its potential insights into weaknesses of the regional innovation systems approach but found wanting in both technical accuracy and scholarly competence. Finally, the state of the art in regional innovation systems research is sketched by reference both to recent longitudinal findings and elaborations into specific technological fields, particularly but not only Bioregional Innovation Systems that help move us towards a newer theory of economic geography in the knowledge economy, based on ‘regional knowledge capabilities.’ The analysis conclusively proposes ‘Globalisation 2’, a ‘ground-up’ knowledge-driven evolution of the earlier ‘top–down’ multilateral trade institution and corporately driven ‘Globalisation 1.’

"The Golden Thread of Innovation' and Northern Ireland's Evolving Regional Innovation System

C OOKE P., R OPER S. and W YLIE P. (2003) "The golden thread of innovation' and Northern Ireland's evolving regional innovation system, Reg. Studies 37 , 365-379. The title embodies the belief, expressed in 2000 by Northern Ireland's Economic Development Minister, Sir Reg Empey, that innovation is the "golden thread' that must run through its economy and policy for the hitherto troubled part of the UK to recover its historic economic dynamism. The paper reports a study of Northern Ireland's innovation performance in light of comparative data and through the lens of the regional innovation systems approach to analysis and strategy. It is shown that business expenditure on innovation inputs like R&D has risen, but that a long " tail' of innovation under-achievers remains evident. Three categories of firm are shown to be innovative and these are swiftly developing systemic interaction with a support infrastructure led by venture capital that is agile in meeting growth requirements of indigenous innovators, thereby setting a standard that public support agencies are being urged to emulate in a new strategic approach to regional innovation. C OOKE P., R OPER S. et W YLIE P. (2003) "Le fil d'or de l' innovation' et le développement du système d'innovation régional en Irlande du Nord, Reg. Studies 37 , 365-379. Le titre de cet article incarne la conviction, exprimée en l'an 2000 par Sir Reg Empey, Ministre du développement économique en Irlande du Nord, que l'innovation est "le fil d'or' qui doit imprégner l'économie et la politique de cette région du Royaume-Uni jusqu'ici en difficultés afin de retrouver son ancien dynamisme é conomique. A la lumière des données comparatives et dans l' optique de la façon d'aborder l'analyse et la stratégie qui porte sur les systèmes d'innovation régionaux, cet article cherche à faire un compte-rendu d'une étude de la performance de l'Irlande du Nord quant à l'innovation. On montre que les frais d'innovation, dont la R et D, ont augmenté. Cependant, une longue "queue' de sous-performants est évidente. Trois catégories d'entreprises s'avèrent innovatrices. Elles dé veloppent rapidement de l'interaction du système avec des services d'assistance technique menés par le capital-risque et qui ré pondent avec flexibilité aux objectifs de croissance des innovateurs autochtones. De cette façon, ils déterminent le niveau que les services d'assistance techniques publiques sont poussés à imiter comme partie intégrante d'une nouvelle façon stratégique en faveur de l'innovation régionale. C OOKE P., R OPER S. und W YLIE P. (2003) "Der goldene Faden der Innovation' und die herausbildung eines regionalen Innovationssystems in Nordirland, Reg. Studies 37 , 365-379. Der Titel verkörpert die Ü berzeugung, der Sir Reg Empey, Nordirlands Minister für Wirtschaftsentwicklung im Jahre 2000 Ausdruck verlieh, daß Innovation der "goldene Faden' sei, der sich durch Politik und Wirtschaft dieses bisher unruhigen Zeiten ausgesetzten Teil des Vereinigten Königreichs ziehen muß, wenn es wieder zu seiner früheren wirtschaftlichen Dynamik zurückfinden will. Der Aufsatz berichtet über eine Studie der Innovationsleistung Nordirland im Lichte vergleichender Daten und vom Standpunkt des regionalen Ansatzes von Innovationssystemen hinsichtlich Analyse und Strategie. Es wird gezeigt, daß Geschäftsausgaben für Innovationsaufwände wie Forschung und Entwicklung gestiegen sind, daß es aber offensichtlich eine lange Reihe solcher gibt, die in Sachen Innovation hinter den Erwartungen zurückblieben. Es werden drei Firmenkategorien als innovativ aufgeführt, und diese entwickeln rasch systemische Wechselwirkungen mit einer sie stützenden Infrastruktur, welche den Anregungen folgt, die vom Risikokapital ausgehen, das sich bei der Erfüllung von Ausweitungsbedürfnissen einheimischer Innovatoren als wendig erweist und dadurch einen Maßstab anlegt, der öffentlichen Trägergesellschaften neue strategische Ansätze regionaler Innovation dringend zur Nachahmung empfiehlt.

Regionale Innovationssysteme

Abstract The paper aims to discuss the concept of the Regional Innovation Systems (RIS). Reference is made to the structural background of the discussion as well as to related concepts of Technological Innovation Systems and National Innovation Systems. Key elements of RIS like cluster, governance, institutional learning etc. as well as approaches towards models and typologies are discussed. The RIS approach is classified as a concept with high political and strategic contents and less theoretical groundings. It is argued that the concept is in need for further clarification at the level of Information flows and knowledge generation.

Innovation Networks and Regional Development—Evidence from the European Regional Innovation Survey (ERIS): Theoretical Concepts, Methodological Approach, Empirical Basis and Introduction to the Theme Issue

A general consensus exists in the debate on innovation-oriented regional development, in which cooperation in innovation between manufacturing firms, service firms and research institutions continues to grow in importance with respect to business success and the economic performance of a region—at least for some region types. The academic discussion, thus far, has been shaped by a large number of outstanding theoretical studies focusing on this topic from the perspective of the innovative milieu concept, the network theory (spatial version), the regional innovation systems approach or the transaction cost theory. Up to now, comparative empirical studies have not been performed evaluating the significance of innovation networks over a sufficiently large and statistically representative data set for the various types of regions. This is the goal of this issue of European Planning Studies, which is introduced in this article. Briefly, the basic concepts for explaining network-oriented regional development are described and the essential features of the European Regional Innovation Survey (ERIS) are presented—developed by a research team of German economic geographers and regional economists. Between 1995 and 1999 ERIS carried out three extensive surveys in 11 European regions with a total return of 8635 questionnaires, in an effort to identify, systematize, and quantify linkages between innovative players. The question of the range of such innovative linkages plays a central role in this analysis.