A comprehensive review of regional innovation policy research: policy paradigms, evolution and underexplored topics

Abstract

Although regional innovation policy (RIP) has become increasingly relevant, the literature still lacks a specific and comprehensive review. Apart from addressing this gap, this article also challenges several limitations and interpretations of previous studies. For this purpose, we conduct a bibliometric analysis based on the bibliographic coupling technique, combined with a set of methodological and analytical novelties that allow us to explore the evolution of RIP topics and their framing across the different innovation policy paradigms. First, the results show that RIP research constitutes a substantial and coherent field, rather than a subtype of (national) innovation policies. Second, the RIP literature transcends the usual reviews on regional innovation systems (RIS) and smart specialization strategies (S3), encompassing other underexplored issues. Third, RIP topics are framed across the three policy paradigms, not just within the innovation systems tradition. Fourth, in addition to identifying long-term and emerging topics, our analysis reveals four phases in RIS evolution (including the latest challenge-oriented turn) and questions the notion that S3 is an extension from RIS. Fifth, while European authors (and journals) remain dominant, contributions from developing countries are slowly diversifying the field. Finally, the article highlights remaining gaps and outlines future research and policy agendas.