Overview

This book offers a new governance framework for understanding how countries with limited institutional capacity can pursue economic catch-up in the digital age. This book introduces the concept of the Developmental Network State (DNS) to explain how learning, coordination, and embeddedness enable capability development under conditions of constraint. Focusing on transitional economies in Southeast Europe, it examines how fragmented institutions, donor dependence, and political volatility shape technological upgrading and industrial transformation. Drawing on extensive fieldwork, stakeholder interviews, and comparative analysis, the book explores digital entrepreneurship, agri-food upgrading, and integration into automotive supply chains in low-capacity environments. It highlights themes such as governance as a meta-capability, industrial policy under digital disruption, and the role of diasporas and donors in shaping development trajectories. This interdisciplinary study will appeal to researchers, graduate students, policy advisors, and development practitioners interested in industrial policy, innovation systems, and governance reform in latecomer economies.

Full Product Details

Author:   Fadil Sahiti
Publisher:   Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Imprint:   Springer Nature Switzerland AG
ISBN:  

9783032170583

ISBN 10:   3032170583
Pages:   294
Publication Date:   03 February 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Part I – Theoretical Foundations: Capabilities, Governance, and Structural Transformation: Chapter 2: Technological Capabilities and the Architecture of Catch-Up.- Chapter 3: Governance in Latecomer Contexts.- Chapter 4: Governing Capability Accumulation.- Part II – Sectoral Case Studies in Transitional Europe: Chapter 5: Digital Services and ICT in Kosovo.- Chapter 6: Agri-Food Processing in Albania.- Chapter 7: Automotive Supply Chains in North Macedonia.- Part III – Conclusion Comparative Lessons and Future Pathways for Structural Transformation: Chapter 8: Cross-Cutting Patterns of Capability Constraints and Adaptive Governance.- Chapter 9: Digital Technologies, AI, and New Frontiers in Technological Upgrading.- Chapter 10: Rethinking Industrial Policy for the Digital, Green, and Geopolitical Transitions.- Part IV – Conclusion and Policy Directions: Chapter 11: Synthesis and Theoretical Contributions.- Chapter 12: Strategic Policy Directions.

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Author Information

Dr. Fadil Sahiti is Professor of Management and Industrial Development at RIT Kosovo and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK). His research focuses on technological capabilities, governance, and structural transformation in transitional economies. He is the author of books and articles on industrial policy and latecomer development.

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