Foresight for science and technology parks in a smart specialisation context

T he purpose of this paper is to propose and discuss an alternative approach to the identification and selection of ‘transformative activities ’ of smart specializing strategy by integrating the use of foresight, the concept of regional innovation system and science and technology parks. We used desk study, interview and Delphi method to collect data, develop in-depth anal yses and set policy priorities from experts in Songkhla province, T hailand. T he practical outcomes imply the direction of promising technology development , possible global megatrend, policy instruments at regional and science park level. T he contribution of the paper is an integrated analysis of the regional innovation system and science and technology park framework in an innovation system foresight process to initiate a smart specialisation strategy.

[1]  Dirk Meissner,et al.  Regional Foresight for Bridging National Science, Technology, and Innovation with Company Innovation: Experiences from Russia , 2019 .

[2]  K. Piirainen,et al.  Regional foresight and dynamics of smart specialization: A typology of regional diversification patterns , 2017 .

[3]  Mariachiara Barzotto,et al.  Revitalising Lagging Regions , 2020 .

[4]  J. Crisp,et al.  The Delphi method? , 1997, Nursing research.

[5]  Murray Turoff,et al.  The Delphi Method: Techniques and Applications , 1976 .

[6]  Supachart Iamratanakul.  A framework of the innovation system: a case of Thailand , 2014 .

[7]  R. Gheorghiu,et al.  A foresight toolkit for smart specialization and entrepreneurial discovery , 2016 .

[8]  Per Dannemand Andersen,et al.  Innovation system foresight , 2014 .

[9]  Bjørn Asheim,et al.  Smart specialisation, innovation policy and regional innovation systems: what about new path development in less innovative regions? , 2018, Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research.

[10]  Gene Rowe,et al.  The Delphi technique: Past, present, and future prospects — Introduction to the special issue☆ , 2011 .

[11]  Luke Georghiou,et al.  Foresight in innovation policy: Shared visions for a science park and business–university links in a city region , 2005, Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag..

[12]  R. Vecchiato,et al.  Foresight and innovation in the context of industrial clusters: the case of some Italian districts , 2008 .

[13]  D. Foray,et al.  Transformative Activities for Smart Specialisation : Considerations on a Workshop Methodology , 2018 .

[14]  I. Miles.  A Practical Guide to Regional Foresight [co-editor] , 2001 .

[15]  F. Tödtling,et al.  One size fits all?: Towards a differentiated regional innovation policy approach , 2005 .

[16]  Cinzia Battistella,et al.  Foresight for regional policy: technological and regional fit , 2016 .

[17]  B. Asheim,et al.  Regional Innovation Systems: Theory, Empirics and Policy , 2011 .

[18]  Henning Kroll,et al.  From theory to practice in smart specialization strategy: emerging limits and possible future trajectories , 2016, Regional Innovation Strategies 3 (RIS3).

[19]  A. Tanner,et al.  The role of regional contextual factors for science and technology parks: a conceptual framework , 2020, European Planning Studies.

[20]  T. Ahlqvist,et al.  Linking Technology Foresight and Regional Innovation Activities: Network Facilitating Innovation Policy in Lahti Region, Finland , 2008 .

[21]  Claire Nauwelaers,et al.  The Role of Science Parks in Smart Specialisation Strategies , 2014 .

[22]  P. McCann,et al.  Smart specialisation, entrepreneurship and SMEs: issues and challenges for a results-oriented EU regional policy , 2016 .

[23]  Per Anker Jensen,et al.  Sectoral innovation system foresight in practice: Nordic facilities management foresight , 2014 .

[24]  R. Vecchiato,et al.  Foresight for public procurement and regional innovation policy: The case of Lombardy , 2014 .

[25]  Paitoon Pimdee,et al.  INNOVATIVE IDEAS: THAILAND 4.0 AND THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION , 2018, Tạp chí Nghiên cứu dân tộc.

[26]  D. Foray.  On the policy space of smart specialization strategies , 2016 .

[27]  Ozcan Saritas,et al.  Foresight for science parks: the case of Ankara University , 2012, Technol. Anal. Strateg. Manag..