Over the past 25 years, the regional innovation system (RIS) approach has become a powerful framework for explaining the uneven geographical distribution of innovation in space as well as for developing policies geared towards boosting the innovation capability of regional economies. This Advanced Introduction provides a critical review and discussion of research on RIS to answer a set of core questions covering the origins of the concept and its theoretical underpinnings to the challenges for future scholarly work on RIS.

Since its emergence in the 1980s the national innovation system (NIS) concept has become widely used by scholars and policymakers alike. In the course of its rapid diffusion it has provoked controversy on fundamental issues. Where did NIS emerge? What is the theoretical core of the concept? Is it actually a scientific concept or simply a buzz-word? How useful is it in terms of low income countries? How does the national innovation system relate to economic, social and environmental sustainable development? Is it meaningful to study national systems in a globalizing economy? What are the legitimate policy implications? This book provides an in depth analysis of all these questions as well as recommending future avenues of research.

Since its emergence in the 1980s the national innovation system (NIS) concept has become widely used by scholars and policymakers alike. In the course of its rapid diffusion it has provoked controversy on fundamental issues. Where did NIS emerge? What is the theoretical core of the concept? Is it actually a scientific concept or simply a buzz-word? How useful is it in terms of low income countries? How does the national innovation system relate to economic, social and environmental sustainable development? Is it meaningful to study national systems in a globalizing economy? What are the legitimate policy implications? This book provides an in depth analysis of all these questions as well as recommending future avenues of research.

Today, economic growth is widely understood to be conditioned by productivity increases which are, in turn, profoundly affected by innovation. This volume explores these key relationships between innovation and growth, bringing together experts from both fields to compile a unique Handbook. The Handbook considers innovation from fresh perspectives, encompassing topics such as services innovation, inward investment and innovation, creative industry innovation and green innovation. It is divided into seven sections, dealing with regional innovation and growth theory, dynamics, evolution, agglomeration, innovation 'worlds', innovation system institutions, and innovation governance and policy. This definitive compendium on regional innovation and growth will undoubtedly appeal to teachers, students, researchers and practitioners of innovation and growth dynamics worldwide.

'The book by Jorge Niosi, Building National and Regional Innovation Systems is a welcome and timely contribution to the literature. The book is about how to promote science, technology and innovation for development and catching up in developing countries. Niosi presents a clear opinion of how countries should stimulate catching up. . . This book is highly recommendable to students, researchers and policy-makers. It is commendable more for its clearly stated and thought-provoking messages than for its empirical examples. I found that the examples are used more to demonstrate the correctness of Niosi's arguments than to critically investigate their relevance.' - Arne Isaksen, Papers in Regional Science

This book discusses the latest theoretical advances in regional innovation research, presents empirical cases involving the development of regional innovation systems (RISs), and explores regional innovation policy approaches. Grounded in the extensive literature on RISs, it addresses state-of-the-art developments in light of recent theoretical advances in economic geography and related disciplines. Written in honor of Bjørn Asheim's seventieth birthday, the book includes novel and carefully selected chapters prepared by collaborators, colleagues and former PhD-students of one of the founding fathers of RIS research. Further, it makes a significant contribution to the academic debate on regional innovation and growth and offers valuable insights for scholars and policymakers alike.