Think tanks for a new generation of regional innovation policies

Natural resources and physical cultural resources, referred to in this paper as “Environmental Resources”, can be important assets for regional competitiveness and innovation. In recent years, these types of assets have been increasingly taken into consideration in the design and implementation of regional development strategies, as a consequence of their potential role as a source of differentiation and of new competitive advantages. However, in contrast to environmental policies, which usually focus on the protection of the environment, innovation policies and their instruments are largely shaped by, and geared towards, knowledge-based innovation.In this paper, we discuss the role played by environmental resources in the context of regional innovation policies. We begin by discussing the relationship between environmental resources and regional development, and by emphasizing some contrasting views with regard to the function of environmental resources in regional development. Then, we address the relationship between regional competitive advantages and innovation strategies. The specific issues and problems that arise whenever the aim is to attain competitive advantages through the valorisation of environmental resources constitute the core of section III. In that section, we highlight the specific characteristics of environmental resources and we discuss the applicability of the “natural resource curse” argument to the dynamics based on the valorisation of environmental resources. The reasons that justify public intervention as well as the difficulties concerning the adequate level of intervention (local / regional / national) are also examined. The paper ends with some conclusions and policy implications.

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’A Comparative Analysis of Regional Innovation Characteristics Using an Innovation Actor Framework

Science Technology and Society ◽

10.1177/0971721817744458 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 137-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sungho Han ◽

Gwang Min Yoo ◽

Sunjoo Kwak

Keyword(s):

Analytical Framework ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Innovation Activity ◽

Innovation Capability ◽

Research Subjects ◽

Regional Innovation ◽

Multiple Factor Analysis ◽

Research Institutes ◽

Innovation Characteristics ◽

Innovation Policies

Knowledge, a fundamental component of innovation, expands more effectively when innovation actors are in geographical proximity to each other. Innovation in each region is driven by innovation actors, and thus, the innovation capability of a region is directly linked to the activities of innovation actors in that region. In keeping with this perspective, this study was conducted in order to present the characteristics of the cross-regional innovation capability using an analytical framework of regional innovation actors, such as research institutes, technology intermediaries, universities and firms. In order to analyse the position of each Korean region’s innovation actors, this study classified research subjects from the 2013 National Research and Development Investment Program Information into seven sub-categories and utilised them as the data for the analysis. Multiple factor analysis (MFA), which compresses the various indices effectively, was applied in order to classify the regions that have similar innovation actors into a small number of categories. Based on the factors derived from MFA, the innovation characteristics of sixteen regions were examined. The results showed that the innovation actors differ across regions, although Seoul, Gyeonggi and Daejeon are ahead of all other regions in terms of innovation activity. The policy implications of this analysis are as follows: first, the imbalance in the innovation capabilities among regions must be improved. Second, differentiated regional innovation policies are required because the innovator actors who lead regional innovation differ from region to region.

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Regional Innovation Systems: Finland’s Experience

World Economy and International Relations ◽

10.20542/0131-2227-2012-7-51-63 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 51-63

Author(s):

V. Pchelintsev

Keyword(s):

Systems Approach ◽

Innovation Policy ◽

Regional Scale ◽

Innovation System ◽

Policy Instruments ◽

Innovation Systems ◽

Regional Innovation Systems ◽

Regional Innovation ◽

Non Local ◽

Innovation Policies

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.

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