System-level agency and its many shades: path development in a multidimensional innovation system

Author(s)
Maximilian Benner
Abstract

In the path development literature, how agents shape innovation systems has attracted growing interest. However, the concept of such system-level agency suffers from an unclear distinction from other levels of agency, underdeveloped links to other agency concepts, vagueness about the conceptualization of a multidimensional innovation system and the impact of agency on it, and a limited understanding of the variegated outcomes of agentic processes. This article offers a sympathetic critique, suggests ideas for a nuanced multilevel agency conceptualization, and proposes a research agenda to close the gaps in understanding how system-level agency affects the course and outcomes of path development.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
Journal
Regional Studies
Volume
58
Pages
238-251
No. of pages
14
ISSN
0034-3404
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2023.2179614
Publication date
2023
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507026 Economic geography, 507014 Regional development
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Environmental Science, General Social Sciences
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/efe4e6db-2ef3-4f78-afd6-30ab5f329047