Conceptualizing the Knowledge Region: A Systematic Literature Review and a Proposed Definition

Antonio Calero-López, Aaron Gutiérrez () and Francesc Xavier Grau
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Antonio Calero-López: Department of Geography, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Catalonia, Spain
Aaron Gutiérrez: Department of Geography, Research Group on Territorial Analysis and Tourism Studies, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43480 Vila-seca, Catalonia, Spain
Francesc Xavier Grau: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain

World, 2025, vol. 6, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: Knowledge-based regional development policies have become increasingly popular in recent decades and have been widely disseminated and applied. The regional scale and regional policy have been no exception to this general trend, resulting in the coining of new terms, such as the knowledge region (KR). The use of this term has, however, suffered the consequences of a lack of consensus over its meaning. This has proven problematic and resulted in the term being applied in different ways according to the territorial context. To address this problem, the present study offers a definition of the term that identifies the main components of these different regional realities and provides examples of its appropriate use based on good practices. This new contribution has been based on the PRISMA methodology. The results highlight the existence of key components and the need for a governance framework that serves as a fundamental pillar of knowledge-based regional development. This study concludes with a proposal for a definition of the knowledge region that could be used as a model and basis for future research in this field.

Keywords: knowledge regions; regional development; knowledge-based development; definition; literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: G15 G17 G18 L21 L22 L25 L26 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 R51 R52 R58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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