No 2005/1 Constructing Regional Advantage at the Northern Edge

Abstract

In this paper we have analysed how a territorially contextualized triple helix model can contribute to the formation of regional innovation systems. We have argued the need for changing target levels, towards a more systemic approach based on collective, community-based learning, as well as aim of innovation support, towards more pro-active behavioral change based on associative governance. As empirical illustrations we have made comparisons between three contrasting clusters representing different knowledge basis, and their actual and potential linking to regional innovation systems of different types. The three clusters were the furniture cluster of Salling in Denmark with a synthetic knowledge base and a grass-root RIS; the agrifood cluster in Saskatoon, Canada, typically analytical based with a dirigiste RIS; and lastly the food cluster of Scania, Sweden, currently under construction but with the ambition to shape a networked RIS, drawing on both analytical and synthetic knowledge bases.