Introduction

This chapter explores the possible existence and form of regional systems of innovation (RSI). Christopher Freeman has defined a national system of innovation (NSI) as the network of institutions in the public and private sectors whose activities and interactions initiate, import, modify and diffuse new technologies (Freeman, 1987, p. 1). Although this definition was applied at a national level it can arguably be equally applied at a regional or local level. This chapter will seek to explore these issues, not suggesting that regional systems of innovation should be seen in some way as supplanting national systems of innovation, but rather should be viewed as providing another layer or conceptual lens to the whole system of innovation. In so doing, it seeks to develop in a geographical sense at least part of Metcalfe's (1995, p. 41) view that the national unit may be too broad a category to allow a clear understanding of the complete dynamics of a technological system and instead focus should be on ‘a number of distinct technology-based systems each of which is geographically and institutionally localised within the nation but with links into the supporting national and international system’.

More specifically, therefore, this analysis will examine whether the broad definition of national systems of innovation can also be applied at a regional level. Do, or can, regions offer distinct systems of innovation that are worthy of study? If they do exist, in what ways are they different from national systems of innovation? If the concept is relevant, is it becoming more or less applicable over time? What more general lessons can be learnt from the study of regional systems of innovation?