Smart Specialisation, Foray

Yet, the ideas contained in the smart specialisation agenda have until now been primarily conceptual in nature. The Empirical and Institutional Dimensions of Smart Specialisation draws together some of the leading regional economists and scientists in Europe to analyse how smart specialisation is working in practice. This book investigates different dimensions of the agenda as it is developing across parts of Europe from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The quantitative analysis examines the nature of the diversification processes undertaken by regions and the interplay between the chosen local regional development priorities and the wider global value-chain impacts of these choices. Meanwhile, the qualitative analysis examines the institutional opportunities and challenges facing policy makers and the key elements most likely to provide the underpinnings of a workable set of policy settings.

The book is aimed both at academic researchers interested in the interface between economic geography and regional innovation systems as well as at policy makers making public policy decisions related to regional development at the local, city, regional or national levels.

Governing Smart Specialisation contributes to the emerging debate about the role of the 'entrepreneurial discovery process' (EDP), which is at the heart of smart specialisation strategies for regional economic transformation. Particular focus in placed on what methods, procedures and institutional conditions are necessary in order to generate information that helps buttress policy decisions. It draws on existing literature that analyses the relevance of EDP within smart specialisation for regional policy. Chapters are complemented with case studies about regions with different geographical and socioeconomic characteristics in Europe: from Norwegian regions to the Greek region of East Macedonia and Thrace.

As one of the first books to directly address the EDP, this is essential reading for students interested in regional economics, public policy, urban studies and technology innovation, as well as for policy makers in regional and national administrations.