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Developing and implementing a smart specialisation strategy at regional level: some open questions

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  • Donato Iacobucci

    (Dept. of Information Engineering Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy)

Abstract

The smart specialisation strategy (S3) requires the identification in each region of one or more thematic areas where R&D and innovation policy should be focused on to create and sustain a competitive advantage. Not necessarily the chosen areas will belong to the core, general purpose technology that are generally identified as high-tech sectors (ICT, biotech, etc.). For most of the (peripheral) regions the application of the S3 will involve the identification of production domains in which general purpose technology can be applied and adapted. The aim of this paper is to discuss the theoretical underpinning of the S3, focusing the analysis on three concepts: embeddedness, relatedness and connectivity. The analysis is carried out by reviewing the available documents about the definition and implementation of the smart specialisation strategy and the early proposals developed by some European regions. S3 is an important advancement in the design of regional innovation policy. A better clarification of its theoretical basis and implementation problems can improve its effectiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Donato Iacobucci, 2012. "Developing and implementing a smart specialisation strategy at regional level: some open questions," Working Papers 1215, c.MET-05 - Centro Interuniversitario di Economia Applicata alle Politiche per L'industria, lo Sviluppo locale e l'Internazionalizzazione, revised Nov 2013.
    • Handle: RePEc:cme:wpaper:1215
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Igor ROTARU, 2015. "Smart Specialisation In The Less Advanced Regions. What Are The Key Challenges?," EURINT, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 2, pages 319-327.
    2. Giulio Cainelli & Roberto Ganau & Marco Modica, 2019. "Does related variety affect regional resilience? New evidence from Italy," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 62(3), pages 657-680, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    smart specialisation; regional innovation policy; low and medium tech-industries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L52 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Industrial Policy; Sectoral Planning Methods
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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