Regional innovation systems and the labour market: A comparison of five regions

De Laurentis, Carla

Abstract

This paper reviews the concept of Regional Innovation Systems with particular attention on the labour market dimension. It argues that the labour force as a repository of skills and knowledge plays a key role in generating knowledge flows within Regional Innovation Systems. Then, by reference to a number of important dimensions characterizing innovation, five regions from northern Europe are contrasted. In light of research undertaken by the authors the paper highlights the problems associated with a regional system that may hamper innovation and it shows that Regional Innovation Systems can be underdeveloped by being too dependent on public support. Accordingly a combination of public and private governance at the regional level to promote systemic innovation is advocated. The paper also shows how the Regional Innovation Systems can evolve and how regions can become increasingly developmental knowledge laboratories influencing labour market conditions.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2005
• Online Publication Date: Jan 19, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2006
• Deposit Date: Jul 18, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2022
• Journal: European Planning Studies
• Print ISSN: 0965-4313
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-5944
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1059-1084
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09654310600852373
• Keywords: Regional innovation systems; labour market; northern Europe; developmental knowledge laboratories; RIS framework; labour market dimension; knowledge flows
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9642496
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com