The Role of Proximity in Developing an Inter-Regional Innovation System

While most innovation collaboration projects consist of partners who are located at close proximity, recent literature has explored the development of innovation collaboration in the context of non-spatial proximity. Using a longitudinal mixed methods design, this article explores the inter-regional collaboration of triple helix partners from four non-contiguous European regions (Bucharest-Ilfov, Romania; Central Hungary, Hungary; Castilla-La Mancha, Spain; and South East, Ireland) which worked together to develop an inter-regional innovation system. The results from the study identified three non-spatial forms of proximity (social, cognitive and organisational) that were key determinants for developing the successful inter- regional innovation collaboration studied in this research. Based on the findings derived from this research, an inter-regional innovation system framework was developed to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders based in non-contiguous regions without them having to depend on geographical proximity. The major contributions of this research to theory and practice are the development of a novel framework for inter-regional innovation systems (iRIS) which can be applied by stakeholders in regions that want to collaborate from a distance. Furthermore, the research suggests that the substitution mechanism of geographical proximity consists of not just one non-spatial form, but it consists of the three non-spatial forms identified in this research.

FEATURES AND WAYS OF DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM

The article is devoted to the consideration of the functioning of the regional innovation system, which plays an important role in changing the paradigm of economic development from the natural resource to innovative technological. The object of study is the Republic of Udmurtia, which refers to industrial-oriented regions of the Russian Federation. The authors identified the features of the region affecting the development of the innovation sphere, emphasized the importance of regulatory and legal support of innovative processes, and disclosed the content of state regulation of the relationship between the subjects of innovation. In addition, the criteria for assessing the regulatory framework of the Innovation Policy of the region are presented. The results of the expert survey among leading specialists and scientists of Udmurtia on the state of innovative development of the economic and legal system of the region made it possible to draw conclusions about the general state of innovation in the region. Experts highlighted current factors, positively and negatively affecting the development of the innovation sphere in the Udmurt Republic. This made it possible to offer a list of elements of the innovation support system at the regional level. The issues that determine the features and level of development of regional systems in the field of innovation are formulated, the solution of which will have a positive effect on the overall level of innovative regional development and will make it possible to form a viable innovation management system.

What Constitutes Failure? The Influence of Public Interests in Securing Accountability in Triple Helix Initiatives

The focus of this article is to examine a specific case of a failing regional innovation system (RIS). Our study focuses on a specific project that was conducted in a triple helix constellation where public actors occupy the centre of the triple helix constellation. By examining and interpreting this single case, we aim to illustrate the consequences that result from uncertainty over who the triple helix constellation is accountable to as well as the consequences that has for the overall assessment of the outcome of the triple helix. We show how the overall initiative constituted a failure, but when one considers the activities that were organized and implemented by the RIS, then it is problematic to define it as a failure. This leads us to the conclusion that we should evaluate RIS from different perspectives and on different levels, and we need to consider the time dimension in our evaluation.

The Role of Universities in Social Innovation Within Quadruple/Quintuple Helix Model: Practical Implications from Polish Experience

The social dimension of innovation is growing due to unprecedented wicked global challenges we all face, including COVID-19 pandemic. Those challenges in their dynamic complexity require new cross-scale, cross-domain and action-oriented approaches at the universities. I argue that universities need to go beyond their traditional missions and to take an active role in a transformative change by working with their communities and creating real social impact. The fourth mission concept is particularly relevant as it puts emphasis on the universities roles in sustainable development. I propose to reflect on those new roles of universities in the context of quadruple/quintuple helix model that is seen as playing an important role in fostering the shift from technical to social innovations. Social innovation is an element of a regional innovation system, in which the importance of knowledge is not determined exclusively by competitiveness and productivity, but by taking into account the creation of social well-being, the impact on the quality of life and co-creation of knowledge as part of public–private partnerships. By addressing social innovation practices from a perspective of Polish public universities, it fills the gap of relatively few studies on institutional change and incentive structures that influences the ability of universities to engage in social innovation by proposing. I propose to adapt the socially engaged university model that could be a tool for stimulating and strengthening their functions within a modern regional innovation system allowing for an active role of civil society organisations.

Simulation and Relationship Strength: Characteristics of Knowledge Flows Among Subjects in a Regional Innovation System

A small-world simulation model of a regional innovation system combining the strength of the intersubject relationship of the regional innovation system with the loosely coupled system is constructed. We use a simulation to observe knowledge flow within the regional innovation system under relationships of varying strength. The results show that when the relationship between the subjects of the regional innovation system reaches a certain strength, the system will exhibit high module independence and high network integrity, forming a loosely coupled system. The knowledge flow in the system exhibits the emergence of a fast flow rate, a high mean value and little variance. When relationship strength is at other levels, the emergence of knowledge cannot be identified.

How infrastructure contributes to fostering Regional Innovation System: The case of Pelalawan Regency – Indonesia

Regional Innovation System (RIS) has been regarded by many regions in Indonesia as part of their smart development strategy. The system comprises various elements to be harmonised, including the urban infrastructure. However, despite its essential role in the system, how urban infrastructure contributes to the development of RIS is still unclear and needs to be measured. This paper tries to shed light on the role of urban infrastructure in RIS implementation especially its impact on the operationalization of local institutions and economic development. The case of Pelalawan Regency is examined where RIS has been implemented there since 2015. The mixed method is conducted to assess Pelalawan’s most prominent infrastructure, information and communications technology (ICT) and water supply system, by carrying out survey to Pelalawan’s government agencies and followed by deep interviews to validate it. The result shows that infrastructure only contributes less than 50% encouraging the ideal RIS development, in which ICT’s role outperforms the other.

Management of Financial and Economic Development of Border Regions of Ukraine

The aims of the research are to study the management efficiency of financial and economic development of the border regions of Ukraine through the assessment of funding of the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Poland-Belarus-Ukraine 2014-2020. The methodology is based on quantitative and qualitative research following the concept of “cross-border regional innovation system”. The basic research methods are statistical analysis of project financing indicators of the Cooperation Programme and content analysis of reports for 2016-2019 on project implementation. The results demonstrate the crucial role of the proximity of border regions in the level of development of the social-economic system, which accelerates cross-border cooperation and the effects of integration. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the Programme prove the existence of insignificant short-term effects of cooperation between countries due to different levels of development of the border regions of Ukraine and Poland. The higher level of economic development of Poland’s regions has provided a comparative advantage in the implementation of projects in the framework of the Programme. The formation of a market model of Ukraine’s economy determines the implementation of projects in the social sphere, which in the long run will provide an influx of investment. The practical significance of the results lies in the possibility of using the results of the study in the development of cross-border cooperation programs within the concept of “cross-border regional innovation system”.