Opportunities and challenges in implementing Smart Specialisation in Nordic 'strong innovator' regions

Abstract

In this paper we consider the experience of implementing the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) in three regions in Finland, Norway and Denmark. We highlight the challenges each of these 'strong innovator' regions has faced in implementing S3. We elucidate the fact that each region faced different challenges when implementing S3. We extend a discussion around place-based policy, which is designed in a regionally bespoke and bottom-up manner, suggesting that this will inherently throw up unique and variable place-based challenges, questioning how to balance this uniqueness of problems with a universally applicable approach and support infrastructure.

Keywords

regional innovation policy; place-based development; regional governance; Smart Specialisation

Published in

Regional Studies
2023, volume: 57, number: 1, pages: 129-140
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

• Kristensen, Iryna

  • Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Montreal

UKÄ Subject classification

Economic Geography

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2022.2054975

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/117152