ABSTRACT

This chapter focuses on the argument that innovation and competitiveness are nowadays measured and interpreted following principles and indicators that are incomplete, and frequently when only the narrow approach of a regional innovation system (RIS) is considered. It reflects on the dangers that focusing on the traditional indicators such as expenditure on R&D, the number of researchers or patents can have, and to highlight some other elements that should be understood and considered for policy making. The chapter presents reflections on the way that people relate to each other in the innovation system, their values, trust, shared history and pride about what they are doing. Innovation systems in peripheral regions, such as Tromo, in general show organisational and institutional thinness, which can thus be considered as key barriers hampering innovation activities. It is an STI case, where the aim has been to construct a marine biotechnology cluster in Tromso.