ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the general supposition in favour of a systemic approach combining various concepts of regional collaboration. Combining different concepts of regional collaboration might improve analysis and policies concerning the formation of new economic spaces because insufficiencies of the one or the other theory can be balanced. The chapter provides an example by examining the two concepts of creative/innovative milieu and social capital with regard to potentials of combination and integration. Milieus mainly rely on relationships of heterogeneous actors of differing institutional affiliation, as a prerequisite for bearing creative outcomes by newly regrouping previously unconnected resources and competences. The common ground and shared norms that mark social capital, however, grow on a foundation of homogeneity promoted by the often closed and institutional character of contact circles. Social capital is considered an important asset especially for companies that operate in the vertically disintegrating, innovation-driven network economy.
