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Universities and Smart Specialisation: challenges, tensions and opportunities for the innovation strategies of european regions

Author

Listed:
  • John Goddard

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies)

  • Louise Kempton

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies)

  • Paul Vallance

    (Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies)

Abstract

This paper suggests that the core principles contained in the Smart Specialisation concept represent a set of challenges, tensions and opportunities for the position of universities in regional innovation strategies. These potential issues are discussed focusing on three particular elements of Smart Specialisation: the collective ‘entrepreneurial process of discovery’; the increased focus on specific areas of R&D and innovation specialisation within a regional economy that can generate distinctive competitive advantage; and the greater interest in trans-regional links and the relationship between territories in the European Union with different specialisations in the development and application of new technologies. The paper also identifies possible future barriers to the engagement of universities with regional Smart Specialisation Strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • John Goddard & Louise Kempton & Paul Vallance, 2013. "Universities and Smart Specialisation: challenges, tensions and opportunities for the innovation strategies of european regions," EKONOMIAZ. Revista vasca de Economía, Gobierno Vasco / Eusko Jaurlaritza / Basque Government, vol. 83(02), pages 83-102.
    • Handle: RePEc:ekz:ekonoz:2013204
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    Cited by:

    1. Balland, Pierre-Alexandre & Boschma, Ron, 2022. "Do scientific capabilities in specific domains matter for technological diversification in European regions?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(10).
    2. Paul Vallance & Jiří Blažek & John Edwards & Viktor Květoň, 2018. "Smart specialisation in regions with less-developed research and innovation systems: A changing role for universities?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 36(2), pages 219-238, March.
    3. Henar Alcalde & Mari Jose Aranguren & James Wilson, 2017. "Culture and organisational change in academic organisations: A reflective case," EKONOMIAZ. Revista vasca de Economía, Gobierno Vasco / Eusko Jaurlaritza / Basque Government, vol. 92(02), pages 300-321.
    4. Emmanuel Muller & Andrea Zenker & Miriam Hufnagl & Jean-Alain Héraud & Esther Schnabl & Teemu Makkonen & Henning Kroll, 2017. "Smart specialisation strategies and cross-border integration of regional innovation systems: Policy dynamics and challenges for the Upper Rhine," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(4), pages 684-702, June.
    5. Jesús María Valdaliso, 2015. "Pertenencia a clústeres y comportamiento competitivo de las empresas: un estudio de seis asociaciones-clúster en el País Vasco," Working Papers 2015R02, Orkestra - Basque Institute of Competitiveness.
    6. John Edwards & Elisabetta Marinelli & Eskarne Arregui Pabollet & Louise Kempton, 2017. "Higher Education for Smart Specialisation Towards strategic partnerships for innovation," JRC Research Reports JRC109780, Joint Research Centre.
    7. Evgeniy Kutsenko & Ekaterina Islankina & Alexey Kindras, 2018. "Smart by Oneself? An Analysis of Russian Regional Innovation Strategies within the RIS3 Framework," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 12(1), pages 25-45.
    8. Diana-Manuela LINA, 2019. "The Role Of Universities In Regional Innovation Systems. One-Step Further In Assuming The Third Mission?," EURINT, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 6, pages 288-310.
    9. Jiří Blažek & Pavel Csank, 2016. "Can emerging regional innovation strategies in less developed European regions bridge the main gaps in the innovation process?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 34(6), pages 1095-1114, September.
    10. James R. Wilson & Mari Jose Aranguren & Mikel Navarro, 2015. "From Plan to Process: Exploring the Leadership Implications of RIS3," Working Papers 2015R01, Orkestra - Basque Institute of Competitiveness.
    11. Andrea Bonaccorsi & Daniele Biancardi & Mabel Sanchez Barrioluengo & Federico Biagi, 2019. "Study on Higher Education Institutions and Local Development," JRC Research Reports JRC117272, Joint Research Centre.
    12. Mari Jose Aranguren & Edurne Magro & James R Wilson, 2017. "Regional competitiveness policy evaluation as a transformative process: From theory to practice," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 35(4), pages 703-720, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Universities; regional innovation policy; Smart Specialisation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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