Regional Innovation Policy Beyond ‘Best Practice’: Lessons from Sweden

Abstract

This paper deals with policy measures in the regional innovation system of Scania, Southern Sweden. Focus is dedicated to requirements on innovation policy from actors representing different industries. Previous studies have identified profound differences with regard the organization of knowledge sourcing between firms and other actors in industries drawing on different knowledge bases. In correspondence with these findings, industries differ also with regard to how policy measures aiming to support innovation are perceived and acquired. Despite this, there is a tendency among regional policy programs to base their strategies on one 'best practice'-model, inspired by successful (or sometimes less successful) cases in other parts of the world. The paper presents an in-depth analysis of such policy support targeting three industries located in one region, and ends with a suggestion to how those should be adapted to render influence on the institutional framework of the regional innovation system. Keywords: innovation policy, regional innovation systems, knowledge bases, SwedenDisclaimer: All the opinions expressed in this paper are the responsibility of the individual author or authors and do not necessarily represent the views of other CIRCLE researchers. Abstract:This paper deals with policy measures in the regional innovation system of Scania, Southern Sweden. Focus is dedicated to requirements on innovation policy from actors representing different industries. Previous studies have identified profound differences with regard the organization of knowledge sourcing between firms and other actors in industries drawing on different knowledge bases. In correspondence with these findings, industries differ also with regard to how policy measures aiming to support innovation are perceived and acquired. Despite this, there is a tendency among regional policy programs to base their strategies on one 'best practice'-model, inspired by successful (or sometimes less successful) cases in other parts of the world. The paper presents an in-depth analysis of such policy support targeting three industries located in one region, and ends with a suggestion to how those should be adapted to render influence on the institutional framework of the regional innovation system.

On the Implications of Knowledge Bases for Regional Innovation Policies in Germany

“…The second aim of the paper was to analyse whether knowledge bases could serve to solve the problem of too standardised, one-size-fitsall regional innovation policies (Tödtling, Trippl 2005;Barca et al 2012), as was claimed by Martin et al (2011) on the basis of an empirical study of Scania in Sweden. On the basis of our empirical findings, we can conclude that although knowledge bases are potentially useful in fine-tuning cluster policies, they are much less so in fine-tuning broader regional innovation policies for several reasons.…”

“…We are hence more sceptical than Martin et al (2011) when it comes to the role of knowledge bases as a concept for fine-tuning regional innovation policies. Others, such as Manniche (2012), Tödtling et al (2011), andAsheim et al (2011), see knowledge bases as a starting point to look for bridges between industries and clusters in order to foster related variety, platforms of innovation, and more integrative regional innovation policies.…”

“…Although these two approaches have their merits, our empirical research focused on analysing knowledge bases as the third concept, to fine-tune regional innovation policies. According to several authors, industrial knowledge bases represent an essential foundation for getting towards more fine-tuned innovation policies (Asheim, Gertler 2005;Asheim et al 2011;Martin et al 2011). Martin et al (2011: 555) explicitly argue that the differentiated knowledge-base concept "through clarifying different preconditions for innovation in different industries, can serve as a heuristic model for designing fine-tuned regional innovation policy".…”

Advancing regional innovation systems: What does evolutionary economic geography bring to the policy table?

“…This approach makes a distinction between analytical (science-based), synthetic (engineering-based) and symbolic (based on intangible assets such as aesthetics, culture, symbols) knowledge bases (Asheim et al 2007;Asheim, Boschma, and Cooke 2011). It advocates policy intervention that promotes economic competitiveness of regions through policies that are fine-tuned to the specific prerequisites in the RIS (in terms of capabilities, networks and institutions) that follow from firms' knowledge bases (Martin, Moodysson, and Zukauskaite 2011). Furthermore it promotes economic diversification strategies for regions based on relatedness between industries and combination of knowledge bases in a context of public-private cooperation.…”

Fuzzy Approach to Estimates Entropy and Risks for Innovative Projects and Programs

“…It's obvious that the process of formation of innovative programs of regional development requires a huge amount of background information to make responsible decisions (Radosevic, 2002;Amorós and López, 2011;Martin et al, 2011;Wamser et al, 2013;Rinkinen, 2015). It is possible to use multi-criteria decision making tools for selection of alternatives based on various important, sometimes conflicting criteria (Bauers, Zavadskas, 2010;Streimikiene, 2013;Streimikiene, Balezentiene, 2012;Streimikiene et all., 2011;Kaplikski, Tupenaite, 2010;Zvirblis A, Buracas, 2012).…”