An Extra-Regional Collaborative Approach to Smart Specialisation

Smart specialisation, Industry 4.0 and lagging regions: some directions for policy

“…The present paperand more fully in our recent RSA Expo book (Barzotto et al, 2019b)has sought to highlight to policy-makers some directions for S3 and I4.0, specifically within the context of revitalizing lagging regions, delivering cohesion and growth that is more inclusive. This involves building upon place-specific assets and enhancing the regional ecosystem, but in ways that enable lagging regions to initially undertake a diverse approach in order to explore, experiment and eventually identify their own new specialization.…”

“…One example of EU project supported by the H2020 to nourish extra-regional collaborations is, as highlighted by Barzotto et al (2019b), the ¡VAMOS! Project.…”

“…These types of initiatives have also facilitated improvements in Apuglia's local governance processes, especially with regards to reducing levels of local corruption and promoting greater trust among local actors. In turn, these local networks have been strengthened and regional growth has improved (for further details, see Barzotto et al, 2019b).…”

“…2 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away' (Matthew 25:29) (see Merton, 1968). 3 McCann and Raquel Ortega-Argilés (2019) discuss perspectives on Smart Specialisation policies in lagging regions; Barzotto et al (2019b) argue for an extra-regional collaborative approach to Smart Specialisation, Potter and Lawton Smith (2019) analyse Smart Specialisation in Eastern Europe with insights from two lagging Polish regions; Šlander and Wostner (2019) examine the Slovenian transformational approach; while Bailey and De Propris (2019) focus on Industry 4.0, regional disparities and transformative industrial policy; and Morgan (2019) concludes on the future of place-based innovation policy (as if 'lagging regions' really mattered). 4 Although one of the more dynamic Polish regions, Pomorskie, isunder EU (2017) definitionsclassified as a lagging region.…”

Smart Specialisation Priorities of Less Developed Regions. A Critical Evaluation

“…Success in the smart specialisation process is additionally hindered by the lack of technological diversification [21]. Dependence on declining industries, limited entrepreneurial and innovation capability especially affect the selection of priorities and the identification of new, transformative activities based on market opportunities [22]. While non-core regions face such challenges and they have less experience in such processes, they need to design and implement smart specialisation strategies based on an approach that presents weaknesses, since "it does not prescribe (…) specific tools for specific actions" [23] and it does not take into consideration the differences between different types of regions [22].…”