Guide to Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation

Being place-based
Box 6 - Distinctive features of smart specialisation for (peer) review
and update of the RIS3
The concept of smart specialisation emphasises the need of developing and implementing
innovation strategies that take into proper account the regional features, such as its economic
structure, existing areas of excellence, clusters, traditions, R&D competences, presence of
research institutions, extension of the inter-regional and inter-national network of scientific
and technical collaborations. For this reason, the major aspects related to the current and
projected structure of the regional economy should be investigated in the preliminary, selfassessment
phase and receive sufficient attention thereafter. Additional elements of interest in
view of a RIS3 are the distribution by size and innovativeness of firms in the regional
economy, such as the share accounted for by small, innovative firms and by large, R&Dintensive
companies. Attention should be devoted also to the width and strength of the
industrial base, uncovering specific risk factors, such as the existence of a number of
industries in need of modernisation or the dependence of the regional economy on a limited
number of industries.
Achieving critical mass
Smart specialisation involves making choices, leading to priority setting and channelling
resources towards the investments having the potentially higher impact on the regional
economy. The distinctive elements that can guide review, monitoring and assessment for
RIS3 should thus include the existence of clearly identified priorities for regional innovation
policy. The EU dimensions should also be incorporated in a RIS3 from its very origins. When
setting regional priorities, priorities at EU level should have been taken into account. Those
policies and funding instruments that are targeted to a specific topic, should mainly aim at one
of the societal challenges (climate change, population ageing…)
.
Putting in place an entrepreneurial process of discovery
The existence of an entrepreneurial process of discovery of new specialisation domains is a
central tenet of the concept of smart specialisation. Its translation for practical use proves
nevertheless quite difficult, because of the lack of easily observable characteristics and
indicators associated with it. For the purposes of peer review and monitoring, one should take
into account that a regional innovation strategy can encompass several forms of innovation
(including non-technological innovation, service innovation, and social innovation).
Particular attention should hence be devoted to the regular exploration and consideration of
emerging opportunities. If such process of discovery is found missing or wanting, the factors
that could lead to its establishment should be identified. Finally, the existence of policies and
instruments to favour the diffusion of the output of innovation can also contribute to the
creation of a lively and entrepreneurial innovation system.
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