ABSTRACT

The regional innovation system (RIS) approach has become a widely used framework for examining the dynamics of innovation across space and for crafting policies to promote the innovation capacity of regions. The dominant focus has been on technological and business innovation enhancing competitiveness and economic growth. In light of persistent environmental and social challenges such as climate change, aging and growing inequalities, this understanding appears to be too narrow. We argue that the RIS approach requires a critical reassessment for informing the next generation of regional innovation policies. We explore how RIS scholarship and policies could benefit from an alternative understanding of the innovation process. Inspired by recent work on mission-oriented and transformative innovation policies, we develop the notion of ‘challenge-oriented RISs’ (CoRISs). In contrast to conventional understandings of RISs, this approach embraces a more critical view of innovation, captures the directionality of change, opens up to new innovation actors at different territorial scales and pays more attention to the application side and upscaling of innovation within the region and beyond. Acknowledging that regions vary in their capacity for transformative change and challenge-oriented innovation, the article outlines new directions for place-based innovation policies.

摘要

区域创新系统 (RIS) 方法已成为一个广泛使用的框架，用于研究跨空间的创新动态以及制定促进区域创新能力的政策。主要关注点是技术和商业创新，以提高竞争力和经济增长。鉴于气候变化、老龄化和日益严重的不平等等持续存在的环境和社会挑战，这种理解似乎过于狭隘。我们认为，RIS 方法需要重新评估，以便为下一代区域创新政策提供信息。我们探讨了 RIS 奖学金和政策如何从对创新过程的另一种理解中受益。受近期关于以使命为导向和变革性创新政策的工作的启发，我们提出了“以挑战为导向的 RIS”（CoRIS）的概念。与对 RIS 的传统理解相比，这种方法包含更批判性的创新观点，捕捉变革的方向性，向不同地域规模的新创新参与者开放，并更加关注应用方面和区域内创新的升级，以及超过。承认各地区在变革性变革和面向挑战的创新方面的能力各不相同，文章概述了基于地方的创新政策的新方向。向不同地域规模的创新创新主体开放，更加注重应用端和区域内外创新升级。承认各地区在变革性变革和面向挑战的创新方面的能力各不相同，文章概述了基于地方的创新政策的新方向。向不同地域规模的创新创新主体开放，更加注重应用端和区域内外创新升级。承认各地区在变革性变革和面向挑战的创新方面的能力各不相同，文章概述了基于地方的创新政策的新方向。