Networks, Collective Learning and Technology Development in Innovative High Technology Regions: The Case of Sophia-Antipolis

Christian Longhi

Regional Studies, 1999, vol. 33, issue 4, 333-342

Abstract: LONGHI C. (1999) Networks, collective learning and technology development in innovative high technology regions; the case of Sophia-Antipolis, Reg. Studies 33 , 333-342 . Sophia-Antipolis has developed in vacant space, in a region without industrial or university tradition. It is nevertheless today among the best known centres of high technology activity in Europe. Focusing on the history of the project, the paper attempts to resolve this apparent contradiction. It explains how, starting from an economic system directed from outside, a capacity for collective learning and an innovative milieu have progressively emerged in Sophia-Antipolis. LONGHI, C. (1999) Reseaux, apprentissage collectif et developpement technologique dans les regions innovatrices a la pointe de la technologie: etude de cas de SophiaAntipolis, Reg. Studies 33 , 333-342 . Sophia-Antipolis s'est developpee en zone friche, dans une region depourvue de tradition industrielle ou universitaire. Il n'en reste pas moins vrai que de nos jours elle fait partie des technopoles les plus connues d'Europe. Portant sur l'histoire du projet, cet article cherche a resoudre cette contradiction apparente. On explique comment, a partir d'un systeme economique domine par l'exterieur, il s'est fait jour progressivement a Sophia-Antipolis une capacite d'apprentissage collectif et un milieu innovateur. LONGHI C. (1999) Vernetzungen, kollektives Lernen und technologische Entwicklung in innovativen, hoch technisierten Regionen: der Fall Sophia-Antipolis, Reg. Studies 33 , 333-342 . Sophia-Antipolishat sich auf freiem Felde entwickelt, in einem Gebiet ohne industrielle oder Universita ¨tstradition. Nichtsdestoweniger ist es heute eines der bekanntesten hoch technisierten Zentren Europas. Dieser Aufsatz sucht, diesen scheinbaren Widerspruch zu lo¨sen, indem er die Geschichte des Projekts in den Mittelpunkt stellt. Er erkla¨rt, wie sich in Sophia-Antipolis in einem von aussen gesteuerten Wirtschaftssystem Schritt fu¨r Schritt die Fa ¨higkeit kollektiven Lernens und ein innovatives Milieu entwickelt haben.

Keywords: Sophia Antipolis; High Technology Firms; Globalization; Spin-OFFS; Research Institutes; Innovative Milieu (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1999
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (54)

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DOI: 10.1080/713693559

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