Changing from within: the interplay between imaginary, culture and innovation system in regional transformation

Huiwen Gong () and Bernhard Truffer ()
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Huiwen Gong: Center for Innovation Research, Business School, University of Stavanger, Norway
Bernhard Truffer: Department of Environmental Social Science, Eawag, Switzerland

No 2024(02), GEIST - Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transitions from GEIST Working Paper Series

Abstract: This paper investigates how leading industrial regions may maintain their leadership positions when being confronted with deep and radical transformations of their core industries. Focusing on the evolution of the German automotive sector in Baden-Württemberg over the past two decades, we introduce a theoretical framework for a layered regional architecture that weaves together regional imaginaries, innovation culture, and system change processes. We argue that in response to disruptive threats, active engagement with regional imaginaries becomes essential. The paper critiques conventional approaches in regional innovation policy for overlooking the critical role of the region's intangible facets as vantage points for policy intervention. Hence, it champions a strategy centered on actively shaping regional imaginaries while concurrently fostering the necessary cultural and tangible system transformations.

Keywords: regional transformation, leading industrial regions; regional imaginaries; regional innovation culture; regional innovation system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo, nep-ino, nep-sbm, nep-tid and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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