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Measuring the knowledge base of regional innovation systems in Germany in terms of a Triple Helix dynamics.

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 10:26 authored by Loet Leydesdorff, Michael Fritsch
The interaction among the three sub-dynamics of economic exchange, technological innovation, and institutional control can be captured with a generalized Triple Helix model. We propose to use the information contained in the configuration among the three sub-dynamics as an indicator of the synergy in a configuration. This measure indicates the reduction of the uncertainty which prevails at the level of an innovation system. On the basis of data at the district level in Germany, the conclusions of a previous study about the Netherlands are tested: medium-tech manufacturing is the main driver of the knowledge-based configuration in a regional economy, while knowledge-intensive services tend to uncouple the economy from the regional configuration. At the level of regions (NUTS-2) Germany's knowledge-based economy is no longer structured in terms of the previous East–West divide of the country, while this divide has prevailed at the level of the states (NUTS-1) that constitute the Federal Republic. However, the effects of high and medium-tech are not specific for the western or eastern parts of the country. The configuration of medium-tech manufacturing can be considered a better indicator of the knowledge-based economy than that of high-tech manufacturing.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Research Policy

ISSN

0048-7333

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

10

Volume

35

Page range

1538-1553

Pages

15.0

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Notes

For the case of Germany, this paper contends that the state is a more appropriate basis for analysing innovation systems and their interactions than the federal level. The (sub)systems are modelled here via functions rather than institutions. It is shown via evolutionary dynamics and entropy statistics that medium-tech industry rather than the high-tech of usual policy focus drives German innovation (sub)systems. Prof Leydesdorff contributed the model and its dynamics, plus shared analysis.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-20

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