Working Paper #2011-027
Innovation pathways and policy challenges at the regional level: smart specialisation
This paper highlights the great diversity in development pathways and
trajectories of innovation across European regions. A regional
knowledge-based economy has multi-dimensional aspects. It includes a
variety of knowledge activities and multiple interactions among a range
of actors including universities, research institutes, enterprises,
knowledge workers and institutions. The spatial patterns and trends for
the different aspects of the knowledge-based economy vary significantly
across Europe. Most aspects show convergence and generate catching-up
processes, while some show divergence between European regions. Overall,
absorption capacity has increased in importance and education is an
important challenge for future regional development. Place-based
innovation policy is essential to enhance synergies among co-evolving
knowledge capabilities and encourage smart specialisation.
- Keywords
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- innovation pathways
- regional development
- innovation policy
- JEL codes
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- O18
- R11
Cite this as
APA 7th ed.Wintjes, R., & Hollanders, H. (2011). Innovation pathways and policy challenges at the regional level: smart specialisation (UNU-MERIT Working Paper No. 2011-027). UNU-MERIT. https://unu-merit.nl/publications/working-papers/abstract/?id=4425