Regional innovation systems in Asian countries: A new way of exploiting the benefits of transnational corporations

Summary, in English

This paper argues for the importance of using the regional innovation systems (RIS) approach as both an analytical framework and a policy tool for generating economic development in developing countries. The paper reconceptualizes the RIS-model to the context of developing countries. RIS is normally based on endogenous growth models; however, in this paper we extend it to rely on external capital, transnational knowledge sources and transnational corporations (TNCs). In particular we stress -



the importance of developing firm and regional absorptive capacity;

the importance of embedding TNCs in the region; and

regional policies for attaining these goals.

These factors, we argue, are important for achieving sustainable economic development, building on exogenous sources of capital and knowledge. Finally, we illustrate the relevance of RIS for analyzing as well as formulating regional development policies by referring to two of Asia's most significant cases: Shanghai's (China) and Bangalore's (India) regional innovation systems.

• Författare: Björn Asheim; Jan Vang-Lauridsen
• Avdelning/ar: Institutionen för kulturgeografi och ekonomisk geografi; CIRCLE
• Publiceringsår: 2006
• Språk: Engelska
• Sidor: 27-44
• Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie: Innovation: Management, Policy & Practice
• Volym: 8
• Issue: 1-2
• Dokumenttyp: Artikel i tidskrift
• Förlag: eContent Management
• Ämne: Human Geography; Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
• Nyckelord: absorptive capacity; embeddedness; regional development; Regional Innovation System; social capital
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt: ISSN: 1447-9338