Innovation, social inclusion and coherent regional development: a new diamond for a socially inclusive innovation policy in regions

Abstract

This article is concerned with regional disparities, the innovation gap and the polarization effects of innovation. The article proposes elements of an inclusive model of innovation. This involves a systemic view of innovation, learning and interactivity. It includes the concepts of learning, trust and social capital in the context of a dilemma between innovation and polarization at the territorial level. It describes the basic structure of a ‘new’ diamond model of innovation relevant to European Union (EU) regional policy, especially for the Accession countries. The German Land of Nordrhein Westfalen is taken as the laboratory for this new model. Problems arising from previous top-down approaches adopted to manage regional policy through innovation policy are commented upon, and the manner the new more inclusive model works is demonstrated.