The aim of this paper is to discuss some of the theoretical underpinnings and implementation problems of the RIS3. The analysis is carried out by reviewing the available literature on RIS3 and the proposals of 36 EU regions. The RIS3 approach requires the concentration of R&D efforts in a few...

The current debate on a regional policy design to fit the Europe 2020 Agenda calls for additional reflection on how sectoral policies, like innovation policies, can be appropriately translated into a regional setting. The paper enters the debate on smart specialisation by claiming that...

This paper is an attempt to clarify the essence of a smart specialisation strategy as a policy process. It aims in particular to explain why entrepreneurial discovery is an important design principle in this policy process. Finally, it presents the policy framework in which various tools and...

This paper discusses two influential policy concepts at the European level that aim to promote economic diversification of regions, that is the Constructing Regional Advantage concept (CRA) and the Smart Specialisation concept (SS). Both policy frameworks identify and prioritise ‘promising’...