Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Wintjes, Rene
Author-Email: wintjes@merit.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT
Author-Name: Hollanders, Hugo
Author-Email: hollanders@merit.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT
Title: Innovation pathways and policy challenges at the regional level:  smart 
	 specialisation
Abstract: 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.
Classification-JEL: O18, O31, O38, R11
Keywords: innovation pathways, regional development, innovation policy
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2011
Number: 027
File-URL: http://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/wppdf/2011/wp2011-027.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2011027