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Research article2023Peer reviewed

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

Kristensen, Iryna Fil; Pugh, Rhiannon

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

    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