Innovation in space: the mosaic of regional innovation patterns

Author(s)
Arne Isaksen, Michaela Trippl
Abstract

This article casts light on the increasingly complex geography of innovation and knowledge sourcing activities. We argue that the spatial patterns of learning and knowledge exchange vary substantially across different types of regions and industries. The article elucidates such variations by combining three analytical approaches, namely, (i) modes of innovation (differentiating between science-technology-innovation (STI) and doing-using-interacting (DUI) modes), (ii) regional innovation systems (distinguishing between organizationally thick and diversified, thick and specialized, and thin systems), and (iii) types of knowledge linkages that connect actors during the innovation process. We explore in detail the key characteristics of the spatial architectures of innovation and knowledge flows in STI and DUI industries located in regional innovation systems with varying degrees of organizational thickness and specialization. We also discuss empirical examples documented in the extant literature to illustrate our arguments on how innovation and knowledge circulation unfold in space in various territorial and industrial contexts.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
External organisation(s)
University of Agder
Journal
Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Volume
33
Pages
122-140
No. of pages
19
ISSN
0266-903X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/oxrep/grw035
Publication date
01-2017
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507026 Economic geography
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Economics and Econometrics, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/9f043968-68ff-48bb-8321-9d1b275ad66b