Future outlook and emerging trends

George Papamichail

Chapter 6 in Unlocking Smart Specialisation, 2026, pp 105-121 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: As the opening chapter of Part IV—Future outlook and transformation—this chapter examines forces likely to reshape Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) over the next decade. While S3 place-based prioritisation and entrepreneurial discovery remain relevant, the framework must adapt to accelerating technological, societal and governance change. Five disruption vectors are identified and analysed: frontier technologies (quantum, synthetic biology, space economy), opening new specialisation paths; shifting governance logics, from foresight-led to algorithmic and platform governance, raising autonomy concerns; emerging organisational forms of innovation, including distributed collaboration and AI-augmented discovery; transformative socioeconomic transitions, such as ageing, circularity, platform economies and post-growth perspectives, challenging growth-centric metrics and the imperative to balance global connectedness with local embeddedness. Policy implications include anticipatory governance, institutionalised foresight, experimental design, upgraded monitoring for learning and multi-scalar capabilities. Ultimately, closing tomorrow's gaps depends on adaptive governance, global–local integration and mission-oriented innovation.

Keywords: Global-local integration; Multi-scalar capabilities; Smart specialisation; Transformative innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035346370
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