Smart specialisation strategies: towards an outward-looking approach

Figures & data

Table 1. Exogenous knowledge sources.

Source	Actors	Mechanism
Arrival of actors	Firms	FDI (greenfield inv. & M&A)
	R&D	Relocation
	Individuals	Mobility of highly qualified labour
Knowledge linkages	Formal relations (Pipelines)	Trade linkages and strategic partnerships/alliances, joint venture, ownership, global innovation networks
	Informal/temporary relations	Personal relationships, diaspora and trade fairs

Source: authors’ elaboration drawing on Trippl, Grillitsch, and Isaksen (2018).

Figure 1. Knowledge circulation region types. Source: authors' elaboration.

Table 2. An outward-looking smart specialisation approach.

Region type	Knowledge circulation strategies	Implications for smart specialisation
Globalised interactive regions	• Outside-in anchoring strategy by prioritising complementary clusters	• Gathering evidence on knowledge complementarity and cognitive distance during the EDP
	• Supporting linkages and boundary spanning activities between gatekeepers and distant/emerging clusters
		• Monitoring regional diversity and emerging clusters
		• Mapping gatekeepers and integrating them in the EDP
Localised interactive regions	• Promoting closer interaction between endogenous specialised and external knowledge bases	• Supporting external linkages (FDI, trade fair participation, strategic partnerships and collaborative research)
	• Supporting internationalisation activities	• Funding schemes targeting novel knowledge for diversification
	• Constant evaluation of the need to renew regional knowledge networks
		• Designing networking schemes between internationalising and other firms
	• Supporting gatekeepers, attracting new actors
Globalised solitary regions	• Considering de-coupling when suitable and supporting the regional industrial and research base	• De-prioritize FDI promotion
		• Establishing and strengthening research and education facilities
		• Incentivise founders related to a specific knowledge base
	• Developing strategic partnerships with external firms in GPNs
		• Integrating branch plants in the EDP and in networking schemes
	• Support start-up and spin-off formation from branch plant firms to stimulate regional knowledge circulation
	• Integrating branch plants into place-based policy design
Localised solitary regions	• Developing small-scale projects and acting as regional, experimental test-beds for entrants	• Attracting smaller units of research organisations and universities
		• Small scale funding for experimental activities for external entrants
	• Leverage on diaspora networks around the world and target highly-skilled people
		• Designing networking schemes with international diaspora
	• Developing specialisations through entrepreneurship and skills
	• Adoption of innovations developed elsewhere	• Promoting entrepreneurship, creativity, applied research and vocational training

Source: authors’ elaboration.

Trippl, M., M. Grillitsch, and A. Isaksen. 2018. “Exogenous Sources of Regional Industrial Change.” Progress in Human Geography 42 (5): 687–705. doi:10.1177/0309132517700982

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