ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces a novel conceptual framework for understanding how different knowledge bases can be accessed and combined at different territorial scales, looking at which mechanisms can be used to favour positive transformation paths in local productive systems. It analyses initial efforts to motivate a regional transition towards a sustainable and innovative forest-based bio-economy in the Värmland Region of Sweden. The book discusses the notion of a bio-economy socio-technical system based on the development of renewable biological resources and its implications for local manufacturing systems. It focuses on factors that enable firms to adopt technologies related to Industry 4.0, with special attention being paid three main aspects: human capital, international openness and financial structure. The empirical analysis is based on a sample of firms that operate in the manufacturing, construction and business services.
