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Do EU regions benefit from smart specialization?

Author

Listed:
  • David L. Rigby
  • Christoph Roesler
  • Dieter Kogler
  • Ron Boschma
  • Pierre-Alexandre Balland

Abstract

Smart specialization was conceived as a “bottom-up†framework to identify new growth paths connected to the existing knowledge cores of regions. Operationalization of smart specialization has proven difficult, though a recent “mapping†of technologies in terms of knowledge relatedness and complexity suggests a useful cost-benefit framework. We extend these ideas, locating EU cities in a smart specialization space and tracking their development of alternative technologies over the period 1981 to 2015. Panel models show employment growth and GDP growth are faster in cities that exhibit a logic of technological development consistent with the tenets of smart specialization.

Suggested Citation

  • David L. Rigby & Christoph Roesler & Dieter Kogler & Ron Boschma & Pierre-Alexandre Balland, 2019. "Do EU regions benefit from smart specialization?," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1931, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Nov 2019.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:1931
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Emelie Hane-Weijman & Rikard H. Eriksson & David Rigby, 2020. "How do occupational relatedness and complexity condition employment dynamics in periods of growth and recession?," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2011, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Mar 2020.
    2. Benjamin Davies & David C. Maré, 2020. "Delineating functional labour market areas with estimable classification stabilities," Working Papers 20_08, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.
    3. E. Marrocu & R. Paci & D. Rigby & S. Usai, 2020. "Smart Specialization Strategy: any relatedness between theory and practice?," Working Paper CRENoS 202004, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
    4. Penny Mealy & Diane Coyle, 2022. "To them that hath: economic complexity and local industrial strategy in the UK," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 29(2), pages 358-377, April.
    5. Tom Broekel & Rune Dahl Fitjar & Silje Haus-Reve, 2021. "The roles of diversity, complexity, and relatedness in regional development – What does the occupational perspective add?," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2135, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Nov 2021.
    6. Javier Barberoa & Olga Diukanovaa & Carlo Gianellea & Simone Salottia & Artur Santoalha, 2020. "Economic modelling to evaluate Smart Specialisation: an analysis on research and innovation targets in Southern Europe," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20200525, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    7. John-Erik Rørheim & Ron Boschma, 2022. "Skill-relatedness and employment growth of firms in times of prosperity and crisis in an oil-dependent region," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 54(4), pages 676-692, June.
    8. Javier Barbero & Olga Diukanova & Carlo Gianelle & Simone Salotti & Artur Santoalha, 2022. "Economic modelling to evaluate Smart Specialisation: an analysis of research and innovation targets in Southern Europe," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(9), pages 1496-1509, September.
    9. Antonelli, Cristiano & Crespi, Francesco & Quatraro, Francesco, 2022. "Knowledge complexity and the mechanisms of knowledge generation and exploitation: The European evidence," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(8).
    10. Pintar, Nico & Scherngell, Thomas, 2022. "The complex nature of regional knowledge production: Evidence on European regions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(8).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    smart specialization; policy; complexity; technological relatedness; European Union;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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