Advances in the Theory and Practice of Smart Specialization

Regional growth in the European Union hinges to a large extent on smart specialization, a new and exciting theme in economic innovation studies. Advances in the Theory and Practice of Smart Specialization illuminates problems that have stifled the implementation of smart specialization policies, such as unique regional constraints and the inter-dependent demands of economic growth and commercial development. Forward-looking and pragmatic, it provides guidance for developing smart specialization strategies both to those involved in European affairs and others grappling with regional innovation and economic development worldwide.

Emphasizes specific contexts for smart specialization, its international approach and institutional preconditionsExamines comparable initiatives worldwideExplains how to implement smart specialization policies given different development levels of regions and countries

1. Assessing EU Smart Specialization Policy in a Comparative Perspective 2. The Economic Fundamentals of Smart Specialization Strategies 3. Managing Self-Discovery: Diagnostic Monitoring of a Portfolio of Projects and Programs 4. Smart Specialization as an Innovation-Driven Strategy for Economic Diversification: Examples From Scandinavian Regions 5. Smart Specialization Policy in an Economically Well-Developed, Multilevel Governance System 6. Innovation Policy in Southern Europe: Smart Specialization Versus Path Dependence 7. Smart Specialization in the US Context; Lessons From the Growth of the Albany, New York Nanotechnology Cluster 8. New Structural Economics and Industrial Policies for Catching-Up Economies 9. Smart Specialization With Short-Cycle Technologies and Implementation Strategies to Avoid Both Target and Design Failures 10. Lessons for a Policy Maker From Real-Life Self-Discovery in Economies With Weak Institutions 11. Transnationalizing Smart Specialization Strategy 12. Can Smart Specialization and Entrepreneurial Discovery be Organized by the Government? Lessons from Central and Eastern Europe 13. From Strategy to Implementation: The Real Challenge for Smart Specialization Policy 14. Entrepreneurial Discovery as a Foresight for Smart Specialization; Trade-Offs of Inclusive and Evidence-Based Consensus 15. Advancing Theory and Practice of Smart Specialization: Key Messages