What Comprises a Regional Innovation System? An Empirical Study

Abstract

This paper is based on an empirical study of a region, both as an economic space and an innovation environment; it tests whether the concept of the `regional innovation system' can be given a quantitative basis. The paper argues that the focus for research on regional innovation should move beyond 'successful' regions and high-technology regions, and accordingly explores innovation activity in a region of mainly 'traditional' industry and relatively peripheral location. A subsidiary aim of the paper is to explore innovation policy issues for regions of this type.