DIFFERENTIATED KNOWLEDGE BASES AND VARIETIES OF REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS

TLDR

The differentiated knowledge base approach transcends the codified–tacit dichotomy to provide a trans‑sectoral understanding of economic activities. The study proposes a theoretical and analytical framework for regional development and advantage, aiming to determine whether regional innovation systems can exist. The authors present and describe multiple regional innovation systems, contextualizing them through various capitalist perspectives within the framework. The authors argue that at the regional level, self‑referential systems are unlikely to develop due to dependence on national institutions and lack of political decision‑making power, and that regional production configurations cannot gain structural independence. Acknowledgements thank former and current PhD students, and a recent article by Bathelt is cited.

Abstract

Abstract This article introduces a theoretical and analytical framework for discussing regional development and regional advantage with reference to a regional innovation system strategy. It uses the differentiated knowledge base approach to transcend the traditional codified–tacit dichotomy of knowledge, and for providing a trans-sectoral understanding of economic activities. Different regional innovation systems are presented and described. The discussion of various types of regional innovation systems is contextualized using a variety of capitalist perspectives. The article concludes by discussing the question if regional innovation systems can exist. Acknowledgements Although not directly involved in the writing of this article I would like to acknowledge my debt to my former and present PhD students, Lars Coenen, Jerker Moodysson and Jan Vang Lauridsen, with whom I have greatly benefitted from working, developing many of the ideas presented in the article. Notes 1. In a more recent article Bathelt (Citation2005) once more underlines his position by arguing that ‘at this geographical level (i.e. a region, my addition), it is unlikely that a self-referential system can develop because regions are strongly dependent on national institutions and other external influences and lack important political decision-making competencies. … Regional production configurations hardly have the potential to gain and retain structural independence and reproduce their basic structure.’