The role of regional innovation systems in regional transformation models: the RIS-through process

In a reference framework towards the knowledge economy concept and in relation to the notions of Regional Innovation System (RIS) and Triple Helix, the purpose of this paper is to identify different paths of regional change with the aim of drawing some indication supporting local policy making. To this aim, the paper analyses six regions considered as virtuous models of economic and industrial renewal (Cambridge, UK; Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Göteborg, Sweden; Singapore; Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, US), particularly focusing on the time dynamics of the development process. From the analysis of the regional transformation process we classify three different regional development paths that in this paper we define as ‘RIS-into’, ‘RIS-from’ and ‘RIS-through’ processes. The first two find a confirmation in Asheim (2003)’s classification. The analysis in this paper made through case studies allows to identify a third development path, the RIS-through process, where the Regional Innovation System acts as a catalyst for the territorial transformation, easing the competitive repositioning of the regions involved.