From islands of innovation to creative hotspots

Key innovation areas are a source of policy and research interest in many countries. In this paper the concept of creative hotspots is introduced as a policy vehicle to support spatial synergy strategies in innovation. The paper provides a review of experiences and findings from a regional innovation performance assessment in the Eastern part of the Netherlands. Its methodology is based on the Technopolicy Network model (TPN model). The study compares the (potential) performance of this hotspot in East Netherlands with three other hotspot regions. Various findings are briefly summarized in the context of a systematic creative hotspots SWOT analysis. The results from this SWOT approach are then used to provide an input for a systematic evaluation of new innovation policy in East Netherlands and to identify future challenges and opportunities for regional innovation policy. Regional innovation ; Clusters ; Technopolicy Network model ; Creative hotspots ; Islands of innovation ; SWOT analysis