This book presents the fmdings of a comparative study of three European metropolitan regions: Vienna, Barcelona and Stockholm. The heart of the work consists of empirical studies carefully designed and developed in order to identify the main actors and mechanisms supporting technological innovation in each of the metropolitan regions. The authors have also highlighted the similarities and differences across regions and countries, investigating how these came to be, and discussing the possible implications. The introductory as well as the concluding Chapter was written by Manfred M. Fischer who, assisted by Attila Varga, was also responsible for Chapter 2 on the Metropolitan Region of Vienna. Javier Revilla Diez contributed Chapter 3 on the Barcelona Metropolitan Region. Folke Snickars has provided Chapter 4 which examines the Metropolitan Region of Stockholm and. All authors have reviewed and commented on the whole contents so that the volume represents a collective endeavour which has been rendered as homogeneous as possible. A particular effort has been made to ensure that the study is based on a common conceptual framework.

Investigates the governance structures and mechanisms of knowledge and technology transfer in the context of innovation and production systems in six regions of Europe. With analyses of strengths and weaknesses, barriers, and shortcomings, this book identifies best practice models and policy recommendations for the investigated regions.

Recent economic transformations in the world economy are progressing in two divergent directions – international production fragmentation and industrial agglomeration. Based on extensive data analysis and using models of interdependencies between key economies, this book analyses innovation systems that cross national borders. It is shown that technological complexity is an important factor in the formation of highly specific production networks, and why, for a number of production systems, fragmentation and clustering are two sides of the same coin. By outlining the picture of a world economy structured around networks of clusters and joined together through systems of linkages of components, people and knowledge flows, the author helps to promote a better understanding of recent economic transformations.

Since the first edition was published in 1998, there has been a worldwide innovation-led boom & subsequent slump. This new edition registers this change & offers an interesting test of the robustness of the original arguments.

First published in 1998. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This book deals with the creation of local innovation systems (LIS) in emerging countries. The authors analyze the role of the government, firms and research centers in the formation of LIS. Special attention is paid to the manner in which different leading actors implement their LIS development strategies. The book presents detailed case studies on different strategies used to implement LIS in Singapore, Dubai, Taiwan and Iran.

Embedding the theoretical discussion on the framework of evolutionary regional innovation systems (RIS), this book reveals the informal nature of the emerging RIS in China, within which interactive learning is organized on the basis of social networks. Furthermore, in a comparative study in the Pearl River Delta, China demonstrates that dirigiste governance in the initial industrialization phase leads to a more mature and developed RIS than does grassroots governance. The theoretical developments and empirical investigation presented in this book will grant readers a deeper understanding of the specific features of RIS within the transitional context of emerging economies.

This book presents the findings of the extensive research progrannne funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Council) and entitled 'Technological Change and Regional Development in Europe'. The goal of this programme was to carry out research by means of empirical surveys into the relationship between technological change and regional development. Over a period of six years, a total of 50 research projects have been undertaken in three phases, each lasting two years. This research programme has succeeded in actively involving leading German regional scientists from many universities as well as non-university research institutions. In addition, numerous research projects were carried out in close co-operation with internationally renowned partners. We should like to express our gratitude for the support provided by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Without their financial backing of the research programme, it would not have been possible to undertake such an ambitious project. Thanks also go to the contributors of this volume for their willingness to participate in our joint project. We wish in addition to acknowledge the contribution of Prof. Dr. Philip Cooke whose refereeing of the chapters has enhanced the quality of the work presented here. Finally, our thanks go to Angela Spence for her expert editorial assistance, linguistic editing and the preparation of the Index, and also Franco Vaio for taking care of the technical aspects and production of the final copy. Their combined efforts have been crucial for successfully bringing together contributions from so many different authors in a single volume.

This unique Companion provides a comprehensive overview and critical evaluation of existing conceptualizations and new developments in innovation research. It draws on multiple perspectives of innovation, knowledge and creativity from economics, geography, history, management, political science and sociology. The Companion brings together leading scholars to reflect upon innovation as a concept (Part I), innovation and institutions (Part II), innovation and creativity (Part III), innovation, networking and communities (Part IV), innovation in permanent spatial settings (Part V), innovation in temporary, virtual and open settings (Part VI), innovation, entrepreneurship and market making (Part VII), and the governance and management of innovation (Part VIII).

Innovation is often understood exclusively in terms of the economy, but it is definitely a result of human labour and ingenuity, and of the relationships among individuals and social groups. Some societies and governmental structures are clearly more successful than others: they act in divergent ways, fostering innovation and employment, and they utilize varied opportunities from different fields of research, from new products and from their educational systems. Thus, innovation varies fundamentally between countries, and public policies – in matters such as energy technology, environmental technologies, facing climate change, and advancing conditions of life – can be determined according to different societies’ needs. This volume brings together a range of world experts to compare countries and continents and help develop a fuller picture of innovations and their social basis. It will be of interest to researchers in regional studies and economics, as well as labour unions, practitioners, and policy makers.