Evolution and co-evolution of regional innovation processes

Abstract

Focusing on 'evolution and co-evolution of regional innovation processes', this special issue addresses a highly topical subject. The contributions cover a number of distinct but complementary issues of innovation processes at the regional level and provide rich insights for the improvement of regional policy designs. This editorial outlines the general theme of the special issue and briefly summarizes the main results of the contributions. It ends with some critical considerations and an outlook on future research needs.

Smart Specialization Strategies at National, Regional, or Local Levels? Synergy and Policy-making in German Systems of Innovation

“…At a theoretical level, the findings strongly support the hypothesis that knowledge exchange and division of innovative labor at the local and regional level spur innovation processes by co-creating a wealth of innovation-specific knowledge across the academic, private, and public sector (Fritsch, Kudic, & Pyka, 2019). However, these shares of the synergies created at different regional scales vary for the different sectors such as knowledge-intensive services or high-tech manufacturing.…”

The Evolution of Technological Space and Firms’ Workforce Composition in a Manufacturing Region

“…When considering the relation between regional development and technological change the role of human capital in firms and related competences should be carefully addressed as one of the micro aspects of innovation that most influence regional renewal (Boschma, R., Iammarino, S. & Steinmueller, E., 2013;Fritsch, Kudic & Pyka, 2019). Castellacci, Consoli, & Santoalha (2019) use occupational data to analyse different profiles related to e-skills within European regions.…”

Rethinking regions in turbulent times

“…Recent special issues demonstrate the breadth of topics being considered from a regional perspective, including European Union Cohesion Policy and Brexit (Crescenzi, Fratesi, & Monastiriotis, 2019), the evolution and co-evolution of regional innovation activities (Fritsch, Kudic, & Pyka, 2019), communities on the move (Parrilli, Montresor, & Trippl, 2019), and innovation and geographical spillovers (Segarra-Blasco, Arauzo-Carod, & Teruel, 2018).…”