Exploring the scope of regions in challenge-oriented innovation policy: the case of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Abstract

Recently, challenge-oriented innovation policy has become increasingly popular in political and scientific discussions. However, the extent to which such a challenge-based thinking has entered regional policy making is relatively unclear. This paper examines the scope of the regional level in promoting challenge-based innovation, focusing on the recent renewable energy innovation policy in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The results show that while regional innovation policy in Schleswig-Holstein aims to address several structural and transformational systemic failures, many other problems and challenges remain, as they are beyond the capacity of a single region to address. Based on this analysis, we draw four conclusions. First, similar to many other structurally weak regions, policymakers in Schleswig-Holstein are struggling with some of the same key challenges that the policy was originally designed to address. Second, multi-scalar governance and inter-scalar coordination are essential for managing regional sustainability transitions. Third, challenge-driven innovation policy is an extension of, rather than a replacement for, conventional regional innovation policy. Finally, environmental and economic goals should be well balanced in challenge-driven regional innovation policy design.

Creativity as a Key Constituent for Smart Specialization Strategies (S3), What Is in It for Peripheral Regions? Co-creating Sustainable and Resilient Tourism with Cultural and Creative Industries

“…With the proposed Creative Audit Tool and with the counselling potential of creative brokers, innovation agents on the local and regional level are able also to build up and/or enhance preparatory, absorptive, recoverable and adaptive resilience capability, thus enabling them to better react to disruptive changes and to prepare for the upcoming future disruptions. With this contribution, the present work fits into the recently challenged oriented innovation policy, which is especially crucial in the face of the commenced twin transition and increase pace for transformation, as multi-scalar and inter-scalar coordination appears to be pivotal for managing regional sustainability transition [199] (p. 1). Thus, this research enhances the understanding and meaning of quadruple helix partnerships and their correlation with the sustainability efforts.…”

Small Wins through Inducement Prizes: Introducing Challenge-Oriented Regional Prizes (CORP)

“…TGIP aims to solve societal challenges and recognizes that economic growth has not only a rate but also a directionality, that a shared public-private-civil societal agenda must be constructed to reach legitimacy imperatives, that the state has a role in shaping new markets, and that there is a need for policy experimentation and a right to fail [1,4,12,24]. TGIP is distinctive from previous generations of innovation policies, as it aims to promote transition and disruption in socio-technical systems and offers a strong rationale for policy experimentations [25].…”

“…Although TGIPs can have different features, TGIPs have in common that they include integrated arrangements that foster strategic orientations with a shared agenda to address some societal challenge, holistic policy coordination across policy silos, and an integrated implementation and policy mix [6]. National and regional policymakers are starting to operationalize the TGIP, such as, for instance, mini missions in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; strategic innovation programs (SIPs) in Sweden; renewable energies in the region of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany; shared agenda in Catalonia, Spain [25][26][27][28]. Despite their high administrative and governance capacities, that is, their capacities to act and deliver tasks [8], these innovative regions have faced several difficulties, such as multi-level policy coordination, bridging silos, demand articulation, directionality, and reflexivity when implementing mission-and challenge-oriented innovation policies highlighting the policy complexity of TGIP.…”

Wicked facets of the German energy transition – examples from the electricity, heating, transport, and industry sectors

“…An example from Northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) shows that actors are liable for the consequences of their actions and might be challenged by the administrative courts. At the beginning of 2015, the Higher Administrative Court of Schleswig declared all regional plans in Schleswig-Holstein invalid due to legal errors (Hassink et al 2021). It thus overturned the spatial governance of onshore wind power for an entire state in one court ruling, which led to a moratorium for new wind installations until the end of 2021 and the re-initiation of spatial planning processes.…”