Smart specialisation implementation challenges and regional case studies

George Papamichail

Chapter 4 in Unlocking Smart Specialisation, 2026, pp 52-75 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Part II examines why the promise of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) often falters in practice, shifting from strategy design to the realities of delivery. Focusing on European regions, Chapter 4 diagnoses a persistent implementation gap rooted in fragmented governance, thin administrative and analytical capacity, weak stakeholder engagement that undermines the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) and underpowered monitoring and evaluation systems that limit collective learning. Synthesising recent literature and empirical case studies, the chapter shows how implementation challenges manifest differently across contexts, with advanced regions often struggling with complexity management and strategic focus. It also highlights credible pathways where intermediary organisations, coherent policy mixes and embedded foresight or evaluation have enabled progress. Framing S3 implementation as a governance and capability challenge, the analysis suggests that bridging the gap requires adaptive institutions, co-ordinated vertical–horizontal architectures, empowered intermediaries, robust intelligence infrastructures and trust-based relationships tailored to regional specificities.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial discovery; Implementation gap; Institutional capacity; Multi-level governance; Smart specialisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035346370
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