Territorial Innovation Systems Research Articles

Управление предпринимательскими сетями арктических территорий: методика проектирования сетевой архитектуры и ее реализация на Python

This study aims to develop a methodology for designing entrepreneurial networks based on assessing the potentials of actors, which are social and economic groups participating in entrepreneurial relations localized in the territories of the Russian Arctic. The objective is to ensure the reasoned participation of actors in network alliances. Methodological approaches and results of assessing the entrepreneurial potential of actors were previously presented, with the author developing approaches that account for the regional features of Arctic processes and allow for broad interpretation. To achieve this, the potential of various actors, or stakeholders operating in Arctic territories, is evaluated. This involves the use of indicators to integrate data in order to detail entrepreneurial properties. Among the indicators are involvement in creating business infrastructure, the scale of activity, innovative endeavors, professionalism of public organizations, and the efficiency of government administration in fostering a favorable investment climate. Other indicators include population engagement in innovation-driven processes (the degree of integration of local and scientific knowledge achieved by establishing formal and informal institutions and programs for interaction between the population and scientific communities; the degree of development of public institutions as subjects of the transfer of innovative solutions between participants in the territorial innovation system, etc.), the degree of monopolization of the territory's economy, the presence of large venture investors, and the venture policy of corporations indicating the stage of territory development. The article's objective is to lay theoretical foundations and methodological provisions for designing the architecture of Arctic network alliances. The focus is on ensuring maximum entrepreneurial potential, considering Arctic processes and their rapid recombination amid swift changes in the business environment. As a result, the author proposes a methodological approach to identifying actors in entrepreneurial networks and connections that support relationships between central actors. This identification is based on the target function of maximizing and restructuring entrepreneurial potential in the Arctic, whose calculation is automated through the use of the Python programming language. The article introduces the author's version of software for generating management information for network brokers. All data for assessment and design can be obtained from official open sources, ensuring the speed of data collection and processing. Research plans involve developing provisions of a methodology focused on the meso-level of the Russian Arctic macroregion for territorial, production, and socio-economic systems with significant potential for forming relations in the innovation economy.

Growth and productive sophistication of Minas Artisanal Cheese from Canastra: an analysis based on innovative processes in natural resources

This article aims to delineate the role of innovation in the successful outcomes of Minas Artisanal Cheese (QMA) from Canastra. The methodological foundation is built upon literature review, documentary analysis, field research, and interviews. Our findings reveal the interplay between traditional and scientific knowledge as a pivotal element in the productive sophistication of Canastra’s QMA, facilitating work enhancement and striving to meet consumer market demands while maintaining local know-how and practices, which the society-nature relationship has historically shaped. The discussion is situated within the realm of empirical studies on natural resource-based innovation in Latin America and reflections on Territorial Innovation Systems (TIS), which consider a multiscale perspective of the innovation process prevalent in studies in the field of Knowledge and Innovation Geography. Despite advancements, we underscore that the establishment of Canastra’s QMA still faces challenges stemming from typical structural frailties of peripheral TIS. We aspire that these results not only contribute to comprehending the productive region of Canastra’s QMA but also serve as a supportive framework for innovation policies that acknowledge the necessity of contextual considerations in regional realities.

Scenarios to promote territorial innovation systems in agri-food value chains: case of cocoa in Colombia

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of the research was to propose probable scenarios for the year 2030 for the cocoa value chain in the department of Antioquia (Colombia), based on functional approach to analysing territorial innovation systems (TIS). Methodology TIS in the cocoa value chain was analysed by comparing two rural municipalities as case studies, where different actors respectively participated. Prospective analysis approach, Delphi method, MICMAC program and morphological analysis were combined for the construction of scenarios. Findings Case study comparison indicates that analysis at the territorial level is an appropriate perspective to identify key aspects of the TIS functions that lead to different scenarios for promoting local innovation in agri-food value chains. The results provide specific scenarios including short-, medium- and long-term strategies for the promotion of territorial innovation systems. Practical implications This approach has the potential for multiple heterogeneous TIS actors to explore different innovation pathways and prospective scenarios that contribute to action planning to reduce uncertainty and promote innovation in TIS. Theoretical implications This study contributes with a new way of approaching the functions of TIS, where dynamics that occur in the local geography are highlighted. Also based on the prospective analysis, scenarios are configured that arise from a set of aspects analysed by local and external actors of the territories. Originality/value The study generates important knowledge about TIS and the functional approach regarding the design of prospective scenarios to promote innovation in agri-food value chains.

Детермінанти кластеризації в контексті територіального інноваційного розвитку

The article is devoted to the study of topical issues of accelerating the innovative development of spatial socioeconomic systems; determining the degree of influence of network forms of organization on the dynamics of economic activity; providing a scientific basis for the formation of centers of innovative growth based on the theory and practice of clustering. A systematization of literary sources on the mentioned issues shows that modern economic science pays insufficient attention to the theory and practice of the influence of cluster forms of organization on the nature and dynamics of innovative development of territorial (regional) systems. The problems of creation and diffusion of innovations are studied from the point of view of the representation and positioning of a separate territory (region) as a subject of economic relations, as a multi-aspect and multifunctional cluster network, which is an indispensable component of the development of territorial innovation systems. Further development, the symbiosis of the theory of regionalism, in particular, the spatial organization of production, with the theory and practice of innovative entrepreneurship, is the substantiation of the feasibility of creating and spreading territorial poles of growth – innovation clusters. The idea of the nature and character of cluster forms of modern territorial organization of innovative activity, being a kind of cluster (network) structure, which is a projection of scientific and industrial-economic systems on a certain territory, has been researched and developed. It is shown that the economic power of such a territory is set and determined not only by the volume of sales of innovative products, but also by the synergistic resource of the entire cluster network, its general influence on national and global markets.

The role of local universities in the dissemination of social innovations: the case of the municipal district of Quito

Local knowledge helps generate social innovations. Universities, which are part of the territorial innovation system, are important in creating innovations, but their role in diffusing social innovations is less well known. The social policies established in Ecuador have given rise to different social innovations. In particular, the metropolitan district of Quito, based on the metropolitan development plan from 2012 to 2022, has generated a process of social innovations of great interest. Local universities usually participate in the training process of the agents involved in the development of social innovation. In a complementary way, local universities can facilitate cooperation between these agents. Both are essential elements in the diffusion of innovation. This paper analyzes the importance of collaboration with universities to disseminate social innovations in the Metropolitan District of Quito, using a series of interviews. The results indicate that the lack of collaboration with the universities and the limited knowledge that exists in them hampered the practical development of the plan and its effectiveness.

Regionalization of Human Capital Development and US Regional Innovation Policy

Over the past 70 years, human capital, which is the most important factor in the innovation process and innovation activity in the United States, has acquired spatial forms corresponding to territorial innovation systems. Under the influence of the instruments of the state regional innovation policy, the regionalization of the development of human capital in the United States has gone through its own evolutionary path, dialectically coupled with the cyclical processes of socio-economic and technological development of society. The tendencies of human capital regionalization revealed on the basis of the systemic and evolutionary approaches reveal the subject-object essence of the research. The phenomenon of regionalization of human capital development investigated in the work is reflected in the dynamics of average annual growth rates, under the influence of the unambiguous in its direction, but having subregional differences in the instruments of selective equalization and proactive regional innovation policy, as well as differences at the level of the leading states of the United States.

Innovative Dynamics and Structural Changes in the Manufacturing Industry of the Volga-Ural Macro-Region

The article discusses formation of an innovation system within the Volga-Ural macro-region. The scientific novelty of the work lies is the methodology for determining the flexibility of innovative component of the manufacturing industry in the region. The relevance of the research is determined by the need for a paradigm shift to the analysis of horizontal integration of regions, including in terms of innovation. Such integration will create prerequisites for an active flow of knowledge and the spread of innovations. The main properties of the territorial innovation system are formulated, including openness, innovation orientation, structural flexibility, and internal connectivity. The requirements for the functions and regional parameters in such a system are justified, and the advantages of large regions-subjects of the Russian Federation as innovative cores are emphasized.The main research methods, in addition to structural and spatial analysis and synthesis, were the calculation of structural coefficients in the economy and scientific and applied sphere for the Volga-Ural macro-region (Orenburg, Penza, Saratov, Samara and Ulyanovsk regions and the Republic of Bashkortostan). In particular, we use the Ryabtsev index, the coefficient of specialization (per capita production), and the coefficient of the use of advanced production technologies. The article analyzes structural shifts in innovative production in the manufacturing industries of these regions in the period 2010– 2019. This tool allows us to study the degree of manufacturing flexibility of the RF subjects of the Volga-Ural macro-region and the dynamics of their innovative development (ascending or descending) as well as the degree of its co-directionality.The analysis shows heterogeneity of the macro-region in economic and innovative terms. The regions that differ most from others in the structure of the innovation industry are identified (Bashkortostan and the Orenburg region). It is shown that the most positive dynamics is typical of Bashkortostan whereas a number of other regions face innovation degradation. The article considers the prospects of Ulyanovsk and Samara regions as generators of knowledge and innovation in the macro-region.The results of the study can be used in business (identifying the region with the most flexible economic structure as an innovative attractive one) and in state spatial planning (determining the composition of macro-regions). Such research is relevant for any macro-regions in the country.

ИННОВАЦИОННАЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ И РЕГИОНАЛЬНАЯ ИННОВАЦИОННАЯ ПОЛИТИКА В ШТАТАХ ЗАПАДА США

The subject of the study is the innovative activity carried out within the territorial innovation systems of the West of the USA. The latter is considered depending on the directions of the regional innovation policy in the period 1981—2020, carried out by the state authorities. Empirical confirmation of the heterogeneity and regional differentiation of innovation activity in the specified macro-region of the country allowed us to identify some trends in spatio-temporal development and features of the functioning of these systems, determined by the dynamics and nature of the interrelations of the average annual indicators of the studied economic phenomena. According to the results of the study, the conclusion is made, on the one hand, about the flexibility and appropriateness of regional innovation policy, historically a priority for the development of the innovation process in the Western United States, and on the other hand, about the change in the trend in the functioning and spatial structure of technological and institutional forms of innovation in the Pacific states of the country.

Territorial innovation models in less developed regions in Europe: the quest for a new research agenda?

ABSTRACT Territorial, economic and social cohesion in European Union (EU) regions are major challenges that regional policies are aimed at. These policies have a strong focus on innovation-driven models as key processes for reducing disparities and promoting regional development. Since the 1980s, innovation and technology policies have gained momentum and legitimacy to stimulate multiple development patterns and growth models, mainly from national economic dynamics to well performing regional systems. Theories of knowledge and learning have been developed in more successful places, producing concepts that seem unattainable for less successful ones. Given that less developed regions have been overlooked in innovation studies, this paper reviews the literature on territorial innovation models in Europe in order to understand theoretical and practical gaps for these regions and to identify trends that support the need to redirect conceptual, political and instrumental attention of territorial innovation systems. It debates the different forms of innovation in regions, the variety and role of actors, the quest for geographical and place-based resources, the determinants for innovation and the ‘how’ and ‘for what’ demands of regional development. The discussion anticipates critical questions that try to promote a ‘normative turn’ in innovation policy, propose research avenues and discuss policy implications.

Local Product-Service Innovation Systems: T-KIBS Contribute Most to Local Manufacturing Performance

Knowledge-intensive business service firms (KIBS) have been found to be instrumental for the renaissance of local manufacturing sectors. The value-adding role of KIBS to local manufacturing performance is likely to vary according to the functions they fill within the local hybrid value chain. The research objective of the study presented in this paper is to identify whether the positive effect of KIBS on the contribution of manufacturing businesses to the local economy is stronger in regions with a greater technology-based KIBS sector (T-KIBS), as compared to professional-based KIBS (P-KIBS). To reach this objective, we employ regression models and cluster analysis on a database built from two separate sources (Regional Entrepreneurship and Development Index and Eurostat) that includes information for the years 2012-2014 for 121 European Union (EU) regions from 24 countries. The main findings indicate that the territorial presence of an active hybrid value chain composed of a mixture of manufacturing and T-KIBS businesses is associated with greater average manufacturing productivity, in terms of gross-value added (GVA) per worker. Therefore, the local presence of T-KIBS firms pays-off for manufacturers and the territorial product-service innovation system.

Public Coordination and Institution Innovation: An Institutional Approach for Hub-and-Spokes Logistics Network in the Greater Bay Area

For several years, the Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) has been stagnated under lesser efficient subregional integration proceedings. These cities have been existing economic interdependency which regarding to different economic structures and characteristics. In addition to administrative institution, there are a big difference between Chinese central government and two special administrative regions under the One Country Two Systems. Scholars raise doubts the public coordination and performance and its conjecture, which ties in precisely with the issues of multi-level governance, is based on an empirical study conducted in 9+2 cities n GPRD, which set out to characterize the workings of these territorial innovation systems and to propose a policy strategy are necessary. However, the newly introduction of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to the GPRD, but the institutional barriers are remaining and need a driver to trigger the innovation for this regional development. This study applies the hub-and-spoke system and private-public agent (PPA) model to utilize the institutional model. Moreover, this study identifies that the integration of logistics in PRD need to be revised after added sense and variation into the new revised gravity model is a better consideration. Meanwhile, this article highlights the hub-and-spoke logistics network, policy-driven on institution designs, market-driven on supply chain management, and the institutional innovation. The intra-competition among GBA cities could be eliminated by an integrating hub, as we suggested in this article. Both the essence of the institution or market efficiency, the hub-and-spoke system and PPA model are considerable into GBA development planning regarding its inter-government approach and the liberalized economy at all, whether the problems on tradeoff and distribution are relying on the effective operation of PPA model which undergoing a well-organized institution.

The The impact of territorial policies on the distribution of the creative economy: tracking spatial patterns of innovation in Slovenia

The creative economy as an alternative pathway for industrial decline was first introduced into practice in metropolitan regions of the Global North. Since then, it has gradually spread out to other highly urbanized areas of the Global South and transitional areas such as post-socialist European countries. Numerous studies tried to explain structural conditions and suggested policies to attract, retain and release creative potentials. However, the focus on promotion of the creative economy is still on large cities and sectoral policies by emphasizing economic, social and legislative issues of the creative labour. There is little evidence about how territorial policies shape the development of the creative economy, especially in medium-sized and small towns outside the reach of the agglomeration areas. The aim of this paper is to study the impact of territorial policies on the distribution of the creative economy in Slovenia as an example of the post-socialist country. By analysing spatial-temporal trends of patents, we track patterns of innovation between 1975 and 2014 in the urban system. A central focus is given to examine changes in urban hierarchy, i.e. relationships between Ljubljana as the capital and the only large city in the country, regional centres and small towns. The spatial-temporal analysis of patents granted in Slovenia confirmed the linkages between territorial innovation systems and policies. The main findings show that innovation has become more evenly distributed across space, which can be attributed to long tradition of polycentric spatial development in times of Yugoslavia and more recent territorial policies favouring further dispersion of the local self-government system in Slovenia.

Complex spaces: global innovation networks & territorial innovation systems in information & communication technologies

This paper brings together two related bodies of theory that assist understanding of processes of socio-technical system change on the global scale. These are, first, the Global Value Chain perspective (GVC) that has now mutated into Global Production Networks (GPN) and, more recently, Global Innovation Networks (GIN). Examples of why this should be are exemplified (e.g. Scandinavia’s mobile telephony ‘creative destruction’). The second perspective is that of Territorial Innovation Systems. This addresses the innovative core of ‘creative destruction’ events which, in turn, explains economic growth and development. In recent times this has been significantly undergirded by means of concepts like ‘relatedness’, ‘proximity’ and ‘path dependence’. These perspectives are combined to produce a framework for analysing the contribution of an increasingly commoditised ICT assembly industry to high-value, customised ‘chipset’ and ‘apps’ design around smartphones, netbooks and flat panel display (FPD) technologies that express the GIN/TIS complex in global ‘value curve’ integration. Here ‘creative destruction’ recombinations arise because, from an evolutionary perspective, the regions in which they emerge display technological ‘relatedness’ and regional ‘regimes’ that foster co-innovation, in this case ICT-based co-innovation.

From toys to automobiles: foreign investment, firm heterogeneity and intermediaries in a Portuguese industry

ABSTRACTIn the literature on territorial innovation systems there is a constant tension between the effect of endogenous and exogenous factors and their relative importance. In order to address this tension several approaches have sought to conceptualize the relational and multi-scalar dimension of innovation and to explain how external knowledge and economic flows in conjunction with regional contexts combine to produce regional growth, stagnation or decline. This paper will contribute to this debate, while also highlighting that even at the local level there is substantial heterogeneity between firms. It will also shed light on the role of intermediary organizations that can help address information and power asymmetries between multinational corporations and less competitive local firms. Empirically it will draw on the case study of the Portuguese moulds industry, which has successfully adapted to shifts in the global economy by drawing on local resources while also remaining integrated into global value chains.

Territorial innovation systems and strategies of collective efficiency

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to show the relevance of territorial innovation systems approach for non-central regions’ development strategies. The research made allowed to identify actions of collective efficiency to strengthen endogenous capacity for regional innovation, and also to detect some institutional weaknesses that inhibit the innovation dynamics in a particular rural region (Tagus Valley). Design/methodology/approach – The research followed an interpretive case study, of explanatory type. Data collecting method comprised semi-structured face-to-face interviews with business agents and local government members, direct observation of innovation activities and documentary analysis. Statistical methods to analyse the firms’ innovation behaviour, as well as owners and managers’ perceptions, were also used in order to improve the trustworthiness of the research. Findings – The results show that innovation is positively associated to a diverse set of institutional factors that shape a territorially embedded innovation system, in which the firms’ innovation activity is chiefly based on localized learning processes. Moreover, a path of smart and creative diversification area is detected, but there are substantial differences between firms belonging to agro-food supply chain. While food industries and wineries show very interesting levels of investment in innovation activities and external knowledge synergies, farmers/producers depend greatly from producers’ organizations. Research limitations/implications – Given the absence of generalizability and some speculative argumentation, further research needs to be done, especially about the critical role of higher education institutions to promote innovation. Practical implications – The paper provides empirical insights about the role of actors belonging to the governance layer inherent to the territorial innovation system in discussion. Originality/value – The paper fulfils an identified need to systematize institutional factors able to affect non-central regions innovation.

A public strategy under construction? Coordination and performance in territorial innovation systems

For several years now, France has been witnessing the development of territorialised public innovation and economic development policies (cluster policies in particular), conducted by various actors, whether the state or the various local authorities. This has triggered the emergence of complex stakeholder systems in the territories, raising doubts about their coordination and performance. It also begs the question of the convergence of public strategies in these conditions. This conjecture, which ties in specifically with the issues of multi-level governance, is based on an empirical study conducted in three French regions, which set out to characterise the workings of these territorial innovation systems and to propose avenues of improvement. Based on this case, we characterise the sources of the apparent complexity of the system and show that, contrary to the voices that call for a reduction in the number of ‘structures’, over and above the harmonisation of operations, the establishment of new coordination mechanisms has the additional effect of creating spaces and procedures that allow the gradual formulation of a collective strategy for public actors in the territory.Points for practitionersThis research provides a diagnosis of the difficulties of coordinating various cluster policies that coexist within a regional territory, which can help the practitioners involved with the design of public policies. However, above all, it offers regional government officials possible coordination mechanisms that should enable them to build economic development strategies that are more integrated and informed, without increasing the complexity perceived by the beneficiaries, that is, companies.

A Risky Business? The Role of Incentives and Runaway Production in Securing a Screen Industries Production Base in Scotland

A Risky Business? The Role of Incentives and Runaway Production in Securing a Screen Industries Production Base in Scotland

Trajectories of sustainability transitions in scale-transcending innovation systems: The case of photovoltaics

This paper proposes that spatial dynamics of new environmental technologies can be better understood when positioned in a multi-scalar theoretical framework based on innovation system approaches. We combine territorial innovation system concepts with a technological innovation systems (TIS) perspective. The investigation of photovoltaic (PV) technology in Germany indicates that the relevance of different scales and actor constellations shifts in the course of a ‘maturing’ innovation system. First, the convergence of regional and institutional subsystems forms a temporary window of opportunity for a robust TIS formation within a national framing. Second, consolidation according to basic patterns of the underlying national innovation system takes place. This is illustrated by the robust performance of German mechanical PV equipment suppliers within a globalized PV value chain. The empirical findings allow for drafting a theoretical framework that offers a generalized view on this shifting spatial context pattern of an emerging environmental technology.

10.5937/jaes12-7170 = Practical aspects of the strategy implementation for regional and local innovation systems development

Many authors have turned their research interests to the problem of innovative development as a result of global trends that have led to the transition to an innovative functioning of an economy. This research focuses on territorial innovation systems represented by the regions and municipalities. The major aim of the study has several objectives associated with the theoretical analysis of practical aspects of the problem in regional and municipal levels. First of all, there is a need to provide a critical review of the literature devoted to innovative development of regional systems. Secondly, the role of territorial authorities in an innovation process is needed to be examined. Finally, this study has an overarching objective to identify the opportunities and evaluation mechanisms for innovation potential of regions and municipalities, as well as to formulate a complex of measures for its development. Basis of this work amounted to actual works of Russian and foreign scientists, the analysis of the Russian experience of innovation, as well as the recommendations of foreign experts. The research is based on Russian and international academic literature, innovation–related articles, the analysis of Russian innovative experience as well as the foreign experts’ recommendations related to the issue.

Qualitative Analysis and Comparison of Firm and System Incumbents in the New ICT Global Innovation Network

This paper presents a qualitative analysis of the changing fortunes of firms and territorial innovation systems in the emergent handheld devices segment of the global innovation network (GIN) in information and communication technology (ICT). The conceptual approach draws fairly lightly upon evolutionary complexity theory from which important concepts such as “path interdependence” “strange attractors” and system “self-organization” derive. In this version of a suite of papers on the GINs topic, particular emphasis is placed upon supply chain displacements of western chipmakers by Asian chipmakers from the first and second versions of the Apple “smartphone”, forerunner of its equally successful “tablet” technology. These are the apotheosis of innovative “convergence” in which knowledge recombination produces unanticipated novelty in products and services. It is shown how Apple, like earlier transitioning ICT firms such as IBM, Microsoft and, more recently, Hewlett Packard, engaged in “modularization” largely by acquisition in order to re-position themselves in new global markets. Spatial proximities and policies are seen as crucial to many of the processes described.