Eristian focusses on assessing the economic impact of the Smart Specialization policy in less developed regions of Europe using the recently developed GMR-Europe economic impact modeling.

Current Research Question

The research question concerns the extent to which GMR-Europe can provide an appropriate solution to measure the economic impact of SmartSpec policies after various policy interventions are simulated.

Data & Methods

European data statistics (Eurostat) and regional statistics from 1995-2020. Two main analytical dimensions: regional spillover capacity and economic impact modelling.

Societal interests

Research novelty: A new experience in implementing Smart Specialization by selecting the less developed regions of Europe, offering a method for prioritizing, and assessing the ex-ante and ex-post economic impacts. Future research could be proposed by the stakeholders/researchers to present findings that may differ in these regions. The utilization of GMR-Europe can also be an attraction for the region.

This paper reviews the literature on Smart Specialization implementation in less developed regions of the European Union (EU). Using a systematic literature review research protocol, I critically explore the content of selected relevant papers, examine the challenges in the Smart Specialization implementation in less developed regions of the EU, and raise critical factors that could potentially enhance the success of its implementation. The first finding of this study shows that research on related topics published in leading journals has increased significantly in recent years. Furthermore, as an essential contribution, I categorize the selected papers according to diversity in research design and methodology. Finally, I summarise three key issues of Smart Specialization implementation in less developed regions of the EU: RIS capacity and governance, local and extra-regional collaboration, and regional administrative and financial governance.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18335/region.v9i2.388

This paper critically reviews the literature on multilevel governance issues in support of implementing Smart Specialization policies in EU regions. Using an evidence-based critical review approach, key literature that draws on three critical concepts is explored: multilevel governance, regional innovation policy, and Smart Specialization in various governance conditions and diverse regional resources. The evidence reviewed points to the critical role of multilevel governance in implementing Smart Specialization. Effective coordination mechanisms are essential building blocks to encounter the challenges of multilevel governance for Smart Specialization. More consequential, however, are substantial synergies that are solid, harmonious, and balanced among multi-stakeholders within institutions and across levels of government. This paper contributes to the limited literature on multilevel governance in support of the Smart Specialization policy. Further studies considering different types of regions are recommended to enrich future literature.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17979/ejge.2022.11.2.9004

This paper intends to provide a general description of the position of a qualitative approach in the study of innovation policy and its possible expansion based on the experiences of experts from other disciplines. There is an important and urgent matter about improving young researchers' methodological skills in understanding complex innovation studies. By understanding and mastering various methodological skills, individual researchers, groups, or innovation study communities can provide comprehensive interpretations and insights from unit analysis to draw accurate conclusions in response to phenomena and planned research questions. Some of the research approaches suggested in this paper, namely ethnographic research and action research, require additional research skills in the field. The ethnographic approach and the participant approach allow young researchers to influence the research design by involving participants in the research in a planned manner. Therefore, it is appropriate to use a participatory approach as methodological enrichment in innovation studies. An ethnographic approach will benefit from the perspective of the innovation policy group. The qualitative approach described in this paper can be used in mixed methods, along with quantitative methods.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14203/STIPM.2022.322

This paper aims to review the evidence demonstrating the role of universities in the knowledge diffusion function for Smart Specialisation strategies. It is not new if many experts question whether Smart Specialisation will apply equally in all regions, plus the reason that the study of the role of universities in Smart Specialisation still needs much attention. Through this evidence-based literature review, I have identified three main points that support the role of universities for Smart Specialisation in less developed regions of Europe, including resources in regional innovation systems, public sector investment support for RandD, and strong bonds of the Triple Helix actors.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18778/1231-1952.29.1.07

This literature review explores the Open Innovation of SME companies, their application, success factors, impact, and challenges. The theoretical framework is built starting from the definition, a critical pillar, and Open Innovation in SME companies. The main factor in the Open Innovation process stage is finding innovative ideas and establishing network access with the external environment. Balanced, systematic, and thorough collaboration is the key to this process. Although European scholars have done it quite a lot, the study of literature on Open Innovation in SMEs still could continue to be developed. Several research results were found in studies conducted in developing countries such as China, Taiwan, and Korea, distinguishing them from similar studies in Europe.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14203/STIPM.2021.308