Regional economic transformation and the innovation system of Styria

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Abstract
Many regions in advanced countries, in particular old industrial ones, have been challenged by globalization and restructuring. They have strong imperatives to innovate, i.e. to renew their product structure, technology and organizational practices. Broader and more lasting effects of renewal can be achieved if firms are part of a ‘regional innovation system’ and not just individual isolated actors. Styria is an example of a traditional industrial region in Austria in the process of restructuring. It had a strong industrial base in the past but has had a weak economic performance in recent decades. Also, the innovative performance of its industry was lower than in Austria. In the last few years firms have become more active in this respect, however. Styria has developed a few industrial clusters, the most important being in materials and metals, wood and paper and transport and vehicles. In part, universities and research institutions are actors in these clusters and Styrian policy‐makers support in particular the expanding vehicle cluster. Regional economic and technology policies are integrated into the Austrian system of social partnership, a model which stresses cooperation between the major interest groups and the state. Styria, thus, has a number of elements of a regional innovation system. However, the degree of ‘systemness’ between those elements and also the specific role of individual elements still have to be explored in further research.

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