Universität Wien
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290082 SE Regional Innovation Policy and Governance (2022W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 29 - Geographie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The course follows a “blended learning” format with on-site and online classes. Online classes include lectures held by international guest lecturers. If needed in light of the COVID19 situation, the course may completely switch to an online format.

  • Friday 07.10. 11:00 - 14:15 Seminarraum 2A310 3.OG UZA II
  • Friday 14.10. 11:00 - 14:15 Seminarraum 2A310 3.OG UZA II
  • Friday 28.10. 11:00 - 14:15 Digital
  • Friday 04.11. 11:00 - 14:15 Seminarraum 2A310 3.OG UZA II
  • Friday 11.11. 11:00 - 14:15 Digital
  • Friday 25.11. 11:00 - 14:15 Digital
  • Friday 09.12. 11:00 - 14:15 Seminarraum 2A310 3.OG UZA II

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Finding contextual solutions to both global and local challenges has become a major function of regional innovation policies, underpinned by conceptual shifts towards challenge-oriented regional innovation policies (Tödtling et al., 2021) and third-frame innovation policies (Schot & Steinmueller, 2018). Hence, challenges such as ensuring environmental sustainability and combating climate change have become overarching objectives of regional innovation policies designed to support the reorientation or transformation of regional innovation systems (Isaksen et al., 2022). These developments require a refocusing of regional policy instruments as well their integration into multi-scalar policy mixes which in turn calls for multi-agent and multi-level alignment in policy design and implementation.
The course introduces selected approaches to regional innovation policies and puts a particular focus on their integration with multi-scalar policy mixes. The smart specialization approach was introduced to EU cohesion policy in 2014 but has generated mixed results (Hassink & Gong, 2019; Benner, 2022). The smart specialization approach continues to guide the implementation of cohesion policy but is currently refocused towards challenge orientation and sustainability (McCann & Soete, 2020). However, doing so will need more alignment with other components of the innovation policy mix beyond the regional level.
The new “partnerships for regional innovation” (PRI) approach (Pontikakis et al., 2021) addresses this alignment and offers a toolbox for regional policymakers to combine place-based policies with challenge orientation and is currently piloted in a large number of European regions. By proposing an “open discovery process” and integrating systemic policy tools such as green public procurement or regulatory sandboxes, the approach goes beyond the confined of traditional regional innovation policies and reflects questions of how to identify and measure challenges and how to respond to them.
As challenge-oriented innovation policies are embedded into wider policy mixes on different spatial scales, these policy mixes and methodologies to design and implement them will be introduced and discussed along the new “PRI playbook” (Pontikakis et al., 2021).
Students will analyze real-world examples related to the implementation of these policy mixes and present them in class. Towards the end of the course, small groups of students will develop their own innovation policy mix for a case-study region.

Assessment and permitted materials

1. Short presentation of a policy implementation example;
2. Short reflection paper on an innovation policy instrument;
3. Final presentation of a challenge-oriented innovation policy mix for a case-study region.
To pass the course, students are required to submit at least one contribution to each of the assessment components.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

1. Group work: presentation of a policy implementation example (20%);
2. Individual work: reflection paper on an innovation policy instrument (30%);
3. Group work: presentation of a challenge-oriented innovation policy mix (30%);
4. Active participation during class (20%).
Minimum requirements for participation include an interest in economic geography, regional policy, and topics related to sustainability and global socio-economic and ecological challenges.
The course will be held in English. For the preparation of case studies, students can choose between cases that can be prepared in German and those that can be prepared in English. In any case, all contributions by students have to be delivered in English.
Presence during class is mandatory but absence during a maximum of two units will be tolerated. In case of justified illness, suspected Covid infection, or other unforeseen emergencies, additional absences will be tolerated.

Examination topics

Contributions by students will be assessed in terms of critical reflection and application of lessons learned according to scientific standards. These lessons learned include conceptual approaches on innovation policy, academic and policy-oriented writing, and problem-centered analysis. The lecturer will be available to answer students’ methodological questions.

Reading list

The following literature list provides a selection of sources relevant for the course. Detailed reading assignments will be distributed among students after registration.

Benner, M. (2022). An institutionalist perspective on smart specialization: towards a political economy of regional innovation policy. Science and Public Policy, DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scac035.

Hassink, R., Gong, H. (2019). Six critical questions about smart specialization. European Planning Studies, 27, 2049-2065.

Isaksen, A., Trippl, M., Mayer, H. (2022). Regional innovation systems in an era of grand societal challenges: reorientation versus transformation. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2022.2084226.

McCann, P., Soete, L. (2020). Place-based innovation for sustainability. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

Pontikakis, D., González Vázquez, I., Bianchi, G., Ranga, M., Marques Santos, A., Reimeris, R., Mifsud, S., Morgan, K., Madrid, C., Stierna, J. (2022). Partnerships for regional innovation: playbook. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

Schot, J., Steinmueller, W.E. (2018). Three frames for innovation policy: R&D, systems of innovation and transformative change. Research Policy, 47, 1554-1567.

Tödtling, F., Trippl, M., Desch, V. (2021). New directions for RIS studies and policies in the face of grand societal challenges. European Planning Studies, DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2021.1951177.

Association in the course directory

(MG-S3-SE) (MG-S5-SE) (MG-W3-PI) (MG-W4-PI) (MG21 APF SOCOECSPEC) (MR3-PI) (MR6) (MA UF GW 02-1)

Last modified: Mo 27.07.2026 11:13