Regional Innovation Systems Research Project

‘Regional innovation systems’ is a topic that is rapidly gaining currency in regional development policy discussions. Unfortunately, very little is known about these systems. The critical elements that comprise a highly effective regional innovation system are not well understood. The processes by which a region should identify and select an innovation system designed to best take advantage of its competitive advantages are largely unknown. The role, if any, public policy plays in developing and maintaining regional innovation systems in the context of regional differences is not clear. Providing more insight into the interaction between public policy and the effective creation and maintenance regional innovation systems will help illuminate regional development technique. EDA solicits applications from qualified researchers to begin a research program that will respond to these needs, informing the design of policies that build and sustain innovative regions. Since most developed countries are confronted with essentially the same challenge, EDA anticipates that the study will identify and analyze best practices from throughout the world.