Assessing Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS3) Through Competitive Public Project Networks: The Case of Aragón 2014–2020

David Rodríguez Ochoa (), Nieves Arranz () and Marta Fernández de Arroyabe ()
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David Rodríguez Ochoa: CIRCE Foundation-Research Centre for Energy Resources and Consumption-Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
Nieves Arranz: Department of Applied Economics, School of Economics and Business, UNED, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Marta Fernández de Arroyabe: Essex Business School, University of Essex, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1LW, UK

Economies, 2025, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-47

Abstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of Aragón’s Regional Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialization (RIS3) 2014–2020 by applying Social Network Analysis (SNA) to a comprehensive dataset of regional, national, and European competitive public projects involving Aragonese entities between 2014 and 2023. The analysis explores how collaborative structures—weighted by funding amounts—impact knowledge transfer, stakeholder participation, and strategic alignment within Aragón’s innovation ecosystem. Findings reveal a significant concentration of funding in European projects (86% of total ecosystem investment), contrasted with varying degrees of local and national involvement. Cohesion metrics show the high connectivity and closure of the European network, whereas regional calls, though exhibiting tighter density, remain comparatively fragmented and reliant on public research centres and universities. Centrality measures identify key bridging institutions, which facilitate advanced knowledge diffusion but also expose potential over-dependence on a small subset of actors. The analysis results highlight the value of integrating SNA metrics into RIS3 evaluations to better capture how resources, governance mechanisms, and institutional pressures interact. By offering a data-driven methodology that can be monitored continuously and policy recommendations, it aims to guide Aragón and other regions in refining their regional innovation strategies towards more inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive ecosystems.

Keywords: regional innovation; smart specialization strategy; Aragon; competitive public projects; Social Network Analysis; innovation ecosystem (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E F I J O Q (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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