Regional selectivity of innovative progress: Industry 4.0 and digitization ahead

Ulrich Hilpert

European Planning Studies, 2021, vol. 29, issue 9, 1589-1605

Abstract: Industry 4.0 and digitization are new transformations for regions and metropolises where technologies are applied but regionally can appear as a continuation of innovative processes where it is developed. The divergent presence of competences creates a selectivity process among regions. There are individual industry-location-nexuses formed out of competences of industries, labour force and research which are complemented by public policies providing support towards such adaptation of innovation and change. Regional societies formed from skilled and educated labour become an important basis for participation in innovation and supply chains. Since smart factories widely can be managed remotely, this also shows a concentration of decision making. Simultaneously, it forms a polycentric de-concentration, indicating some more important locations as central within the networks. These systematic changes continue to deepen over time. While public policies may match innovative opportunities at the appropriate moment, they also contribute to a continuation of uneven development and divergent societal tendencies. Industry 4.0 and digitization indicate a wide and selective change of organization associated with new technologies and innovation. While some regions and metropolises can continue to build both innovative competences and innovative societies based on innovative labour force, others will participate because of their position in supply chains.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2021.1963047

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