ABSTRACT
Science-based processes of techno-industrial innovation are relevant to centres of expertise, and these centres are interlinked when particular areas of top research are available at different locations. The participation in such collaborative processes therefore includes strength both in technological or scientific expertise and in particular areas of specialisation (Powell et al. 1992; Joly 1999; Bastian and Hilpert 2002). While the first criterion demands a concentration of research capabilities to make a region a strong location in globalised innovation, the second criterion demands a variety of areas of expertise in order to take advantage of different opportunities for specialisation. It is not surprising that the process of innovation refers to both, and includes all strong locations according to their area of specialised research expertise.
