Overview

Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. Over the past 25 years, the regional innovation system (RIS) approach has become a powerful framework for explaining the uneven geographical distribution of innovation, as well as for developing policies geared towards boosting the innovation capability of regional economies. This Advanced Introduction provides a critical review and discussion of research on RIS to answer a set of core questions covering the origins of the concept and its theoretical underpinnings, conceptual advances, empirical applications in different spatial contexts, the policy relevance of RIS and the challenges for future scholarly work. Key features include: • a comprehensive introduction to the RIS approach and its development• a critical review of the development of research on RIS• an analysis of empirical varieties of RIS• in-depth discussion linking RIS to other important concepts in studies of regional economic development, including industrial districts, regional clusters, knowledge bases and regional industrial path development. Ideal as an introductory textbook at both bachelor and master levels in economic geography, regional economic development and innovation studies, this concise Advanced Introduction will be a vital tool for understanding regional innovation studies.

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9781785361982

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`The concept of regional innovation systems has become increasingly influential over the past 25 years. Now, for the first time, we have a comprehensive synthesis of the conceptual underpinnings, empirical cases and policy applications of this key construct. International and interdisciplinary in scope, this volume is the definitive reference for both scholars and policymakers alike.' -- Meric Gertler, University of Toronto, Canada `This excellent book provides a deep understanding of the conceptual, theoretical and empirical advancement of the RIS approach. It brings fresh and important additions to the literature on RIS and should have a meaningful impact on the field. This book should be an essential reference for scholars and policymakers interested in the regional aspects of innovation.' -- David Doloreux, HEC Montreal, Canada

'The authors engaged in a most challenging research work on the growth of the regional innovation systems concept. They have been up to the task and produced an outstanding advanced introduction to this topic for the seasoned researchers and for experienced policymakers.' -- Cristina Marine, The Review of Regional Studies 'This book offers a welcome overview and introduction to the field, presenting in compact form key research findings and charting the development of thinking around the topic.' -- John Bessant, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK 'This important new book by three of the leading authorities in the field offers a penetrating analysis of the contributions made by the regional innovation systems approach to the geography of innovation and to the formation of policies aimed at supporting innovation in regional economies. The volume offers important insights into how the approach helps us understand the complex process of innovation across different spatial settings. In particular, it sheds light on how the economic and institutional context of the RIS influences the process of path development in different regions and the potential for the emergence of new industries or the lock in of maturing ones. In so doing, it draws out the policy lessons to be learned from the RIS approach and the future challenges that lie ahead.' --David Wolfe, University of Toronto, Canada 'The concept of regional innovation systems has become increasingly influential over the past 25 years. Now, for the first time, we have a comprehensive synthesis of the conceptual underpinnings, empirical cases and policy applications of this key construct. International and interdisciplinary in scope, this volume is the definitive reference for both scholars and policymakers alike.' --Meric Gertler, University of Toronto, Canada 'This excellent book provides a deep understanding of the conceptual, theoretical and empirical advancement of the RIS approach. It brings fresh and important additions to the literature on RIS and should have a meaningful impact on the field. This book should be an essential reference for scholars and policymakers interested in the regional aspects of innovation.' --David Doloreux, HEC Montreal, Canada

`This excellent book provides a deep understanding of the conceptual, theoretical and empirical advancement of the RIS approach. It brings fresh and important addition to the literature on RIS and should have a meaningful impact on the field. This book should be an essential reference for scholars and policymakers interested in the regional aspects of innovation.' -- David Doloreux, HEC Montreal, Canada

'This book offers a welcome overview and introduction to the field, presenting in compact form key research findings and charting the development of thinking around the topic.' -- John Bessant, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK 'This important new book by three of the leading authorities in the field offers a penetrating analysis of the contributions made by the regional innovation systems approach to the geography of innovation and to the formation of policies aimed at supporting innovation in regional economies. The volume offers important insights into how the approach helps us understand the complex process of innovation across different spatial settings. In particular, it sheds light on how the economic and institutional context of the RIS influences the process of path development in different regions and the potential for the emergence of new industries or the lock in of maturing ones. In so doing, it draws out the policy lessons to be learned from the RIS approach and the future challenges that lie ahead.' -- David Wolfe, University of Toronto, Canada 'The concept of regional innovation systems has become increasingly influential over the past 25 years. Now, for the first time, we have a comprehensive synthesis of the conceptual underpinnings, empirical cases and policy applications of this key construct. International and interdisciplinary in scope, this volume is the definitive reference for both scholars and policymakers alike.' -- Meric Gertler, University of Toronto, Canada 'This excellent book provides a deep understanding of the conceptual, theoretical and empirical advancement of the RIS approach. It brings fresh and important additions to the literature on RIS and should have a meaningful impact on the field. This book should be an essential reference for scholars and policymakers interested in the regional aspects of innovation.' -- David Doloreux, HEC Montreal, Canada

Author Information

Bjørn T. Asheim, Professor of Economic Geography and Innovation Theory, University of Stavanger Business School, Arne Isaksen, Professor in Economic Geography, Department of Working Life and Innovation, University of Agder, Norway and Michaela Trippl, Professor of Economic Geography, Department of Geography and Regional Research, University of Vienna, Austria and Professor, Department of Working Life and Innovation, University of Agder, Norway

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