Implementing Smart Specialisation Strategies

The report analyses the progress of Member States in the implementation of national and regional smart specialisation strategies (RIS3) in 2017 through an assessment of policy developments, progress in implementation of the different strategies, monitoring mechanisms and observed impacts. Using publicly available data as well as an expert survey, the analysis shows that in most countries RIS3 processes have been conducted at both national and regional levels. The use of thematic priorities for research and innovation, engaging stakeholders and opening up to bottom-up initiatives often implied a radical change to previous policymaking practices. An analysis of RIS3 indicators suggests that a proper ‘priority taxonomy’ is lacking, raising doubts whether countries and regions are truly selective in setting priorities, whether they align the priority setting process between the national and regional level and whether the resulting set of priorities is really a factor of differentiation for countries and regions. The impact of RIS3 as a policy paradigm appears more pronounced among the moderate and modest innovators. The report concludes by highlighting the need for more granular indicators to analyse RIS3 priorities as well as their implementation and impact.