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Mit integrativer Innovationspolitik ländliches Potenzial erschließen

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  • Runst Petrik
  • Thomä Jörg

Abstract

Innovation policy often focuses on research and development (R&D) and favours urban centres, therefore rural regions are frequently overlooked. This paper challenges the underlying assumption that innovation-driven growth predominantly occurs in metropolitan areas. Using recent research on young innovative firms in Germany, it demonstrates that innovation in rural areas can flourish through alternative modes of innovation beyond R&D, which can be summarised as ‘learning by doing, using and interacting (DUI)’. The find¬ings advocate a broader understanding of innovation that recognises the unique strengths of rural regions. A more inclusive innovation policy could reconcile the goals of economic efficiency and regional equity more effectively than was previously thought possible.

Suggested Citation

  • Runst Petrik & Thomä Jörg, 2025. "Mit integrativer Innovationspolitik ländliches Potenzial erschließen," Wirtschaftsdienst, Sciendo, vol. 105(6), pages 414-418.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:wirtsc:v:105:y:2025:i:6:p:414-418:n:1011
    DOI: 10.2478/wd-2025-0107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jensen, Morten Berg & Johnson, Bjorn & Lorenz, Edward & Lundvall, Bengt Ake, 2007. "Forms of knowledge and modes of innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(5), pages 680-693, June.
    2. Raphael L‘Hoest & Steffen Mauch, 2019. "Regelgebundene Regionalpolitik unverzichtbar [Indispensable Rule-based Regional Policy]," Wirtschaftsdienst, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 99(1), pages 71-79, April.
    3. Michael Fritsch & Michael Wyrwich, 2021. "Does Successful Innovation Require Large Urban Areas? Germany as a Counterexample," Economic Geography, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 97(3), pages 284-308, May.
    4. Hervás-Oliver, José-Luis & Parrilli, Mario Davide & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Sempere-Ripoll, Francisca, 2021. "The drivers of SME innovation in the regions of the EU," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(9).
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    6. Runst, Petrik & Thomä, Jörg, 2024. "Innovationsatlas Handwerk - ein neuer Blick auf die regionalökonomische Funktion der Handwerkswirtschaft," ifh Forschungsberichte 25, Volkswirtschaftliches Institut für Mittelstand und Handwerk an der Universität Göttingen (ifh).
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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