Regional Development Platform Method (RDPM) as a tool for regional innovation policy¹

1. This article is based on a paper presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA), Jyväskylä, Finland, 27–30 August 2003.

Abstract

Regional development strategies should be based on the sound assessment of regional resources, as well as on forming dynamic capabilities aiming to develop the resource configurations in order to form regional competitive advantage. In this study, the concept “regional development platform” is used as a tool for assessing the regional potentials on which sustainable, competitive advantage could be built. The Regional Development Platform Method (RDPM) is presented as a tool for designing and managing a regional innovation system. It consists of eight phases, in which the underlying potential in the region is explored and the exploitation of the potential organized. The experiences gained from applying the RDPM in the Lahti region, Finland, are used to illustrate the article.

Notes

1. This article is based on a paper presented at the 43rd Congress of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA), Jyväskylä, Finland, 27–30 August 2003.