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Unpacking smart specialization strategies: how collective policy-making processes shape the direction of regional strategies

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  • Moritz Breul

Abstract

Regional strategies, such as smart specialization strategies, can set the course for future diversification. Despite its importance, surprisingly little is known about how the underlying policy-making process affects the direction of regional strategies, i.e., the priority areas that regions aim to promote. This article proposes a framework that allows to unpack the policy- making process of regional strategy development and link it to the policy outcomes. It highlights that only by considering features of this process, distributed across various actors with heterogenous interests and capabilities, can we explain why regions favor the promotion of certain types of path development over others.

Suggested Citation

  • Moritz Breul, 2023. "Unpacking smart specialization strategies: how collective policy-making processes shape the direction of regional strategies," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2320, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Sep 2023.
    • Handle: RePEc:egu:wpaper:2320
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    Keywords

    Smart specialization; regional policy; regional diversification; regional transformation; regional strategies;
    All these keywords.

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