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The governance of regional innovation policy and its economic implications

Author

Listed:
  • Carlo Gianelle

    (European Commission, DG REGIO)

  • Fabrizio Guzzo

    (European Commission, JRC)

  • Javier Barbero

    (European Commission, JRC
    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid)

  • Simone Salotti

    (European Commission, JRC)

Abstract

This paper provides insights on the potential macroeconomic impact of the governance of the European innovation policy called Smart Specialisation. We use original empirical data on the implementation of the policy, which is funded through a dedicated financial envelope of the 2014–2020 EU cohesion policy, in a spatial macroeconomic modelling framework capable of gauging the general equilibrium effects of varying degrees of governance quality. Our contribution aims at narrowing the gap between the abstraction of ex-ante impact assessment exercises based on macroeconomic simulations and the reality of how policy interventions may take place. By using data for all Italian NUTS 2 regions, we find that the measured quality of Smart Specialisation governance could increase the pure investment-related impact of the policy by up to 40 percent. At the same time, we estimate that further potential GDP gains—in the order of an additional 40–50 percent over what was achieved with the observed levels of governance—would not materialise because of the comparatively low quality of governance in some regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlo Gianelle & Fabrizio Guzzo & Javier Barbero & Simone Salotti, 2024. "The governance of regional innovation policy and its economic implications," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 72(4), pages 1231-1254, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:72:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s00168-023-01241-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-023-01241-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models
    • E61 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Policy Objectives; Policy Designs and Consistency; Policy Coordination
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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