Operationalizing Regional Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy

Abstract

Developments in the last decade of innovation policy show a trend that moves away from generic economic growth towards solving specific grand societal challenges as its rationale. On the other hand, there is increasing consensus that regional (or local) contexts should be taken into account when designing innovation policies. This presents a challenge, as regions do not know how they can contribute to societal challenges that transcend their own geographical scale. In this thesis, a framework is developed that aims to identify regional strengths and weaknesses to contribute to larger-scale mission-oriented innovation policy. This is done by bringing together two broad literature streams (MIP and RIS). A part of the framework is put to the test in three case studies. The Dutch NUTS2 regions of Noord-Brabant, Zuid-Holland and Friesland are investigated within the context of the Dutch mission of having a completely CO2-free electricity system by 2050. Based on these analyses, it becomes clear that regions can indeed be better informed on how they can contribute to large-scale missions with the developed framework. More extensive case studies will be needed to develop the framework and obtain more quantitative insight into the dynamics of regional mission-oriented innovation policy.