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Conceptualizing the Knowledge Region: A Systematic Literature Review and a Proposed Definition

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Calero-López

    (Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Catalonia, Spain)

  • Aaron Gutiérrez

    (Department of Geography, Research Group on Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Catalonia, Spain)

  • Francesc Xavier Grau

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain)

Abstract

Knowledge-based regional development policies have become increasingly popular in recent decades and have been widely disseminated and applied. The regional scale and regional policy have been no exception to this general trend, resulting in the coining of new terms, such as the knowledge region (KR). The use of this term has, however, suffered the consequences of a lack of consensus over its meaning. This has proven problematic and resulted in the term being applied in different ways according to the territorial context. To address this problem, the present study offers a definition of the term that identifies the main components of these different regional realities and provides examples of its appropriate use based on good practices. This new contribution has been based on the PRISMA methodology. The results highlight the existence of key components and the need for a governance framework that serves as a fundamental pillar of knowledge-based regional development. This study concludes with a proposal for a definition of the knowledge region that could be used as a model and basis for future research in this field.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Calero-López & Aaron Gutiérrez & Francesc Xavier Grau, 2025. "Conceptualizing the Knowledge Region: A Systematic Literature Review and a Proposed Definition," World, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:6:y:2025:i:2:p:80-:d:1670109
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Hans Westlund, 2006. "Social Capital in the Knowledge Economy," Advances in Spatial Science, Springer, number 978-3-540-35366-9.
    3. Cooke, Philip, 2001. "Regional Innovation Systems, Clusters, and the Knowledge Economy," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 10(4), pages 945-974, December.
    4. Laima Gerlitz & Christopher Meyer & Christopher Meyer & Gunnar Prause & Gunnar Prause, 2020. "Methodology approach on benchmarking Regional Innovation on Smart Specialisation (RIS3): a joint macro-regional tool to regional performance evaluation and monitoring in Central Europe," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 8(2), pages 1359-1385, December.
    5. Linda Höglund & Maria Mårtensson & Kerstin Thomson, 2021. "Strategic management, management control practices and public value creation: the strategic triangle in the Swedish public sector," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 34(7), pages 1608-1634, May.
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