Potentiel scientifique, externalités territoriales et développement des biotechnologies : analyse à partir du cas de Rhône-Alpes

The object of this article is to examine the part played by the territorial externalities in the process of emergence of new productive structures in the field of new technologies. More precisely, on the basis of empirical research carried out in laboratories of biotechnologies in Rhône-Alpes region, the main issue we deal with is whether territorial externalities ? public and commercial ones ? constitute (or not) a crucial factor in the construction of a highly innovative sector: the sector of biotechnologies. Carried out within the conceptual and methodological framework defined by the concepts of "territorial system of innovation", "local area networks of innovation" and "regional scientific density", the analysis leads to two conclusions: Firstly, the emergence of high-performance biotechnological activity is the result of a dynamics of actors (laboratories, firms...) structured in networks, and strongly supported by Organizations of research valorisation and regional Institutions of promotion and support. And, secondly, the mechanisms of interaction between actors, which play fully in a powerful territory like Rhône-Alpes, generate production of externalities ? commercial externalities as well as public ones ? which constitute a deciding asset for territorial implanting of economic actors and, therefore, for the durability of (bio) technological dynamics, once it is started.