Innovation, social inclusion and coherent regional development: a new diamond for a socially inclusive innovation policy in regions

Abstract

This article is concerned with regional disparities, the innovation gap and the polarization effects of innovation. The article proposes elements of an inclusive model of innovation. This involves a systemic view of innovation, learning and interactivity. It includes the concepts of learning, trust and social capital in the context of a dilemma between innovation and polarization at the territorial level. It describes the basic structure of a ‘new’ diamond model of innovation relevant to European Union (EU) regional policy, especially for the Accession countries. The German Land of Nordrhein Westfalen is taken as the laboratory for this new model. Problems arising from previous top-down approaches adopted to manage regional policy through innovation policy are commented upon, and the manner the new more inclusive model works is demonstrated.

Acknowledgements

This article was presented at the European Presidency Conference on ‘Territorial Cohesion’ in Galway, Ireland, May 24–26, 2004. The author is grateful to the organizers and commentators on this article. The usual disclaimer applies.

Notes

1. For further details see: http://www.innovating-regions.org/network/regionalstrat/

2. See e.g. http://www.innoregio.de/index_e.php

3. http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/scapital/

4. The research was financed by the Hans Böckler Foundation, Germany. http://www.boeckler.de

5. This three level differentiation follows roughly the concept of systemic competitiveness, see Meyer-Stamer, J. (2001) Was ist Meso? Systemische Wettbewerbsfähigkeit: Analyseraster, Benchmarking-Tool und Handlungsrahmen, INEF Report 55/2001, Duisburg, http://www.inef.uni-duisburg.de

6. Landeszentralbank Nordrhein-Westfalen (1997) Jahresbericht 1997, p. 70.

7. Figures taken from KVR (several years), Städte und Kreisstatistik Ruhrgebiet.

8. Landtag Nordrhein-Westfalen (1999) 10 Jahre regionalisierte Strukturpolitik.