ABSTRACT
Innovation, Networks and Learning Regions? address key issues of understanding in contemporary economic geography and local economic policy making in cities and regions in the advanced economies.
Developing the idea that innovation is the primary driving force behind economic change and growth, the international range of contributors stress the importance of knowledge and information as the 'raw materials' of innovation. They examine the ways in which these elements may be acquired and linked through networks, and demonstrate that there are empirical examples of innovative areas which do not have highly developed networks yet appear to be relatively successful in terms of local economic growth. In so doing, they raise crucial questions about the ways in which regions or localities might be described as truly 'learning' areas, and about the sustainability of future economic and quality of life success based on innovation and high-technology.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part I|9 pages
Introduction
part II|86 pages
Core Metropolitan Regions
chapter Chapter 2|19 pages
The Origins and Characteristics of Innovation in Highly Innovative Areas
chapter Chapter 4|15 pages
Technopolitan Spaces in the Greater Paris Region and the International Restructuring of Firms
chapter Chapter 5|33 pages
What Comprises a Regional Innovation System?
part III|79 pages
Peripheral Regions
chapter Chapter 9|19 pages
New Industrial Spacesand National Technology Policies
part IV|53 pages
Technology Transfer
chapter Chapter 10|15 pages
After Technopoles
chapter Chapter 11|16 pages
Local Economic Development Strategies and Information and Communication Technologies
chapter Chapter 12|21 pages
National Laboratories and Regional Development
part V|9 pages
Conclusions