While processes of innovation are increasingly realised globally, they can also take a highly regionalised expression. In this book, the global networks that link regions are set against the local aspects of innovation. With contributions from international experts, this book examines local 'Islands of Innovation' where research and industrial expertise are concentrated, along with areas where traditional industrial regions have passed through a process of innovative restructuring.

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This book includes studies on regions, industries and tendencies of industrial change and spatial concentration of competences and industrial potentials. The chapters in this volume provide for discussions concerning a wider understanding of situations related to Industry 4.0 and digitization. It also reaches out further than towards technology and economy because it includes regional and metropolitan societies, workforces and the divergencies of effects and opportunities. 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. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal, European Planning Studies.

European macro-regions, Euroregions and other forms of inter-regional, cross-border cooperation have helped to shape new scenarios and new relational spaces which may generate opportunities for economic development, while redefining the political and economic meaning of national borders. This book is based on a number of key case studies which are crucial to understanding the complex web of political, economic and cultural factors that shape the heterogeneous picture of Europe's new geography. This book provides a fresh view on this phenomenon, with a realistic approach shedding light on its complexity as well as on its ambiguities. The new macro-regions are interpreted with an approach recognizing the importance of institutionalization, but also their flexible configuration and "blurred" borders. The book also raises the issue of credibility and legitimacy, arguing that inter-regional cooperation has to be removed from the foggy realm of the exchanges between local political and bureaucratic elites in order to be clearly and concretely motivated, and functional to key strategic objectives of the regions. Finally, the authors suggest a complementarity between relations based on proximity and wider (possibly global) networks where some territories, and especially metropolises, find opportunities based on "virtual" proximity. Europe's Changing Geography provides a substantial re-appraisal of a key phenomenon in the process of European integration today. It will be of interest both to scholars of the political economy of European regionalism and to practitioners.

This handbook provides a comprehensive global survey of the politics of technology. Written by an outstanding line up of distinguished scholars in the field, the handbook covers all aspects of the relationship between politics and technology including: Demand and support for new technologies and innovation by the state The effects of technology policies Technology development and innovation difference between various countries and regions Policy instruments and techno-industrial innovation Dynamism and change as outcomes of government policies Driving forces for science and innovative development Forming the basis of this handbook are examples of regional development, country studies and a rich variety of technologies, as well as topical issues such as divergent political interests in relation to technology and the economic exploitation of technologies. Employing a comparative and interdisciplinary approach in order to analyse the interplay between government activities and the development of new technologies, this handbook will be an invaluable resource for all students, scholars and practitioners working in the politics of technology, public policy and policy analysis.

A map which shows where innovation is clustered worldwide is also a map of the location of the highly skilled and talented labour. New technologies, their creative applications or synergy across different areas of scientific research or technology development always create opportunities for the employment of particularly creative labour. This book explores the kinds of institutions and structures which need to exist to make sure that such skills are both offered and employed in particular 'islands of innovation'. Networking Regionalised Innovative Labour Markets illustrates the theme of how existing concentrations of skills in scientific, technological and managerial elites are reinforced through inter-regional mobility using exemplars from a range of countries and regions. These include the US, UK, Italy, Germany, and Central and Eastern Europe. The book's originality lies in its in-depth assessments of the factors associated with the extent to which some regions hold their positions in networked islands of innovation. It is shown that those islands of innovation that attract highly skilled workers from abroad, particularly those from foreign islands of innovation, perform better for example in the US, Italy and the UK. In contrast, even the most innovative Czech regions tend to lose the highly skilled workers vis-a-vis the most innovative regions of the world, mainly to regions in the USA.

European macro-regions, Euroregions and other forms of inter-regional, cross-border cooperation have helped to shape new scenarios and new relational spaces which may generate opportunities for economic development, while redefining the political and economic meaning of national borders. This book is based on a number of key case studies which are crucial to understanding the complex web of political, economic and cultural factors that shape the heterogeneous picture of Europe's new geography. This book provides a fresh view on this phenomenon, with a realistic approach shedding light on its complexity as well as on its ambiguities. The new macro-regions are interpreted with an approach recognizing the importance of institutionalization, but also their flexible configuration and "blurred" borders. The book also raises the issue of credibility and legitimacy, arguing that inter-regional cooperation has to be removed from the foggy realm of the exchanges between local political and bureaucratic elites in order to be clearly and concretely motivated, and functional to key strategic objectives of the regions. Finally, the authors suggest a complementarity between relations based on proximity and wider (possibly global) networks where some territories, and especially metropolises, find opportunities based on "virtual" proximity. Europe's Changing Geography provides a substantial re-appraisal of a key phenomenon in the process of European integration today. It will be of interest both to scholars of the political economy of European regionalism and to practitioners.

Innovation is often understood exclusively in terms of the economy, but it is definitely a result of human labour and ingenuity, and of the relationships among individuals and social groups. Some societies and governmental structures are clearly more successful than others: they act in divergent ways, fostering innovation and employment, and they utilize varied opportunities from different fields of research, from new products and from their educational systems. Thus, innovation varies fundamentally between countries, and public policies - in matters such as energy technology, environmental technologies, facing climate change, and advancing conditions of life - can be determined according to different societies' needs. This volume brings together a range of world experts to compare countries and continents and help develop a fuller picture of innovations and their social basis. It will be of interest to researchers in regional studies and economics, as well as labour unions, practitioners, and policy makers.

Behind the rhetoric of intervention' and deregulation' which has accompanied state attempts to stimulate technological innovation in the last decade is secreted a story of failed ambitions, confusion, muddle and incoherence.
Techno-industrial innovation does make demands on the state, not only in terms of new industries, but also in regard to the inter-relation of industrial and R&D policy and the creation of markets.
This book provides a comparative analysis of techno-industrial innovation in Europe, Japan and the USA. Drawing on case studies ranging from the semi-conductor to the biotechnology industries, the book presents a comprehensive and detailed survey of national strategies for the internal and world markets and sets them in their political context, where the costs may be high and the pay-offs uncertain'.

Innovation is often understood exclusively in terms of the economy, but it is definitely a result of human labour and ingenuity, and of the relationships among individuals and social groups. Some societies and governmental structures are clearly more successful than others: they act in divergent ways, fostering innovation and employment, and they utilize varied opportunities from different fields of research, from new products and from their educational systems. Thus, innovation varies fundamentally between countries, and public policies - in matters such as energy technology, environmental technologies, facing climate change, and advancing conditions of life - can be determined according to different societies' needs. This volume brings together a range of world experts to compare countries and continents and help develop a fuller picture of innovations and their social basis. It will be of interest to researchers in regional studies and economics, as well as labour unions, practitioners, and policy makers.

This handbook provides a comprehensive global survey of the politics of technology. Written by an outstanding line-up of distinguished scholars in the field, the handbook covers all aspects of the relationship between politics and technology including: demand and support for new technologies and innovation by the state; the effects of technology policies; technology development and innovation difference between various countries and regions; policy instruments and techno-industrial innovation; dynamism and change as outcomes of government policies; driving forces for science and innovative development; skills, education and human capital. Forming the basis of this handbook are examples of regional development, country studies and a rich variety of technologies, as well as topical issues such as divergent political interests in relation to technology and the economic exploitation of technologies. Employing a comparative and interdisciplinary approach in order to analyse the interplay between government activities and the development of new technologies, this handbook will be an invaluable resource for all students, scholars and practitioners working in the politics of technology, public policy and policy analysis.

A map which shows where innovation is clustered worldwide is also a map of the location of the highly skilled and talented labour. New technologies, their creative applications or synergy across different areas of scientific research or technology development always create opportunities for the employment of particularly creative labour. This book explores the kinds of institutions and structures which need to exist to make sure that such skills are both offered and employed in particular 'islands of innovation'. Networking Regionalised Innovative Labour Markets illustrates the theme of how existing concentrations of skills in scientific, technological and managerial elites are reinforced through inter-regional mobility using exemplars from a range of countries and regions. These include the US, UK, Italy, Germany, and Central and Eastern Europe. The book's originality lies in its in-depth assessments of the factors associated with the extent to which some regions hold their positions in networked islands of innovation. It is shown that those islands of innovation that attract highly skilled workers from abroad, particularly those from foreign islands of innovation, perform better for example in the US, Italy and the UK. In contrast, even the most innovative Czech regions tend to lose the highly skilled workers vis-a-vis the most innovative regions of the world, mainly to regions in the USA.

von Regierungs- und Verwaltungseinheiten mit privaten kollektiven oder individuellen Akteuren erfullt. Sie kann aber auch ohne vorherige Abstim mung sich wechselseitig erganzen. Am Beispiel des deutschen politischen Systems, das als foderalistisch ge gliederter und mit kommunaler Selbstverwaltung ausgestatteter Mehrebenen staat in die Europaische Union inkorporiert ist, hat die verhandlungsbasierte Steuerungstheorie herausgearbeitet, dass unter derartigen Bedingungen einer "doppelten Politikverflechtung" eine im oben beschriebenen Sinne optimierte politische Steuerung vornehmlich dann moglich wird, wenn die Entscheidun gen in konsensbildenden Verfahren zustande kommen. Sofern, wie im Fall Deutschlands, mehrheitsdemokratische und auf Verhandeln setzende Entschei dungsebenen miteinander verbunden sind, wachse die Anfalligkeit fur "Ent scheidungsblockaden," weil das auf der Mehrheitsregel beruhende parlamenta rische Entscheidungsverfahren die Einigungschancen fur Akteure mit konkur rierenden Eigeninteressen erheblich eingrenze und zudem fur die andere Ent scheidungsebene, auf welcher Problemlosungen kooperativ ausgehandelt wer den, nur schwer "anschlussfahig" sei (Benz 1995: 87ff. ). Allerdings lasse sich dieses Steuerungsproblem vermindern, wenn Akteure, die sich gleichzeitig auf unterschiedlichen Entscheidungsebenen bewegen und an deren "Grenzstellen" postiert sind, ihr erworbenes "Prozesswissen" nutzen, um je nach Opportunitat die Entscheidung mittels der einen oder der anderen Verfahrensweise zu su chen (ebenda). Andererseits existieren Steuerungsprobleme auch in den Are nen, wo Entscheidungen ausgehandelt werden, beispielsweise aufgrund der "Unsicherheit der Akteure uber ihre aussere und innere Handlungsumwelt" (Benz 1997: 20), da Reaktionen der Kooperationspartner wie auch der eigenen vertretenen Klientel nur bedingt berechenbar sind."

Die politische Bewiiltigung der Probleme sozio-okonomischer Entwicklung in den am weitesten fortgeschrittenen westlichen Industriegesellschaften bereitet wachsende Schwierigkeiten; es wird immer deutlicher, daB Fachpolitiken -und seien sie noch so effizient organisiert und kompetent realisiert -mit der Aufgabe iiberfordert sind und zumindest der Konzertierung bediirfen; und schlie61ich sehen sich Versuche politi scher Gestaltung mit der Entfaltung von Entwicklungen konfrontiert, die die angestrebten Ziele konterkarieren, die neue Anforderungen an staatliches Handeln in anderen Regelungsbereichen formulieren oder lediglich die aktuellen Phiinomene zum Gegenstand der Aktion haben, aber nicht die Behe- bung ihrer zugrundeliegenden Ursachen. Thesen zur Unregierbarkeit von Demo- kratien in hochentwickelten Industriegesellschaften ebenso wie zur angeblichen Eigenstiindigkeit der Logik gesellschaflicher Subsysteme werden aus diesen Phiinomenen abgeleitet. Tatsiichlich begegnen wir einer grundlegenden Herausforderung demokrati- scher Verfahren und der Erkenntnisflihigkeit der Sozialwissenschaften: demokra- tische Prozesse beschiiftigen sich aber mit -wie transparent und emanzipatorisch auch immer organisierten Formen - der Willensbildung und Entscheidungsfin- dung auf der Grundlage aktueller Problembewiiltigung, und die Sozialwissen- schaften begleiten die aktuellen Entwicklungsphiinomene mit ihrer auf die Priisentationsform dieser Prozesse bezogenen Untersuchungstechnik und Theorie- bildung. Scheitert die Politik bei der Gestaltung des sozio-okonomischen Wandels, dann konstatiert die Sozialwissenschaft je nach Standpunkt und theorie- geschichtlicher Tradition in unterschiedlicher Weise die Krisenhaftigkeit von kapitalistischer Okonomie und Gesellschaft oder von Versuchen zur politischen Gestaltung.

Die Rolle, die der Staat in den westlichen Industrielandern spielt, ist vor allem in jenen Bereichen analysiert, die fur die zukunftige sozio-okonomische Entwicklung bestimmend sind. Es wird untersucht, ob der Staat relativ autonom handelt oder ob er an das sozio-okonomische System angebunden ist und auf deren Entwicklung Einfluss nimmt. Fur diese Fragestellung eignet sich besonders das Feld der technologischen Innovation, denn von der Organisation undForderung des technisch-industriellen Fortschritts hangt die wirtschaftliche Leistungsfahigkeit und damit die Konkurrenzfahigkeit auf den Weltmarkten ab."

Das Buch geht der Frage nach, inwiefern staatliche Politik fur die Realisation technologisch-industrieller Innovation grundlegend - und mithin steuernd - ist und untersucht dabei insbesondere die Rolle der offiziellen Wissenschaft."