From smart specialisation to smart transformation – (how) do regions integrate transformative intentions in regional innovation priorities?

Sofia Avdeitchikova and Anders Olsson

Chapter 7 in Research Handbook on Regions and Transformative Innovation Policy, 2026, pp 103-120 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines how regions integrate transformative intentions into their regional innovation priorities under the EU Cohesion Policy framework, using Sweden – and particularly Region Värmland – as a case study. Against the backdrop of increasing emphasis on societal challenges in innovation policy, the chapter assesses whether and how the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) have evolved toward "smart transformation." It identifies limited transformative framing in most regional Operational Programmes for 2021–2027, primarily due to weak steering signals from the EU and national level and structural challenges in cohesion fund governance. In contrast, Region Värmland demonstrates a gradual but significant evolution toward a more transformative (S4) approach, shaped by long-standing collaboration, institutional learning, and strategic investments. This highlights the complex interplay between the EU Cohesion Policy priorities and the implementation at the member state level.

Keywords: Smart Specialisation; Transformative innovation policy; Regional innovation; EU Cohesion Policy; Sweden (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309924
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035309931.00016 (application/pdf)
Our link check indicates that this URL is bad, the error code is: 403 Forbidden

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:22217_7

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Jack Sweeney ().