Title: Strategic decision-making in the context of a regional innovation system

Authors: Minna Sarkkinen; Tuomo Kässi

Addresses: LUT School of Industrial Engineering and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland ' LUT School of Industrial Engineering and Management, Lappeenranta University of Technology, P.O. Box 20, FI-53851 Lappeenranta, Finland

Abstract: Management of innovation has become more complex, emphasising a higher need for the systems approach in innovation policy-making. Such approaches and strategic policy intelligence tools are needed that aid in understanding complex systems to be able to direct the decisions and actions towards the desired future situation. This paper introduces an approach to support decision-making in the context of the development of a regional innovation system. This paper presents a study on the innovation situation within one region. This study is an exploratory investigation to identify the main innovation factors and causal relations between these factors. More precisely, the study increases understanding on the factors and systems interactions influencing innovation by presenting a structural model comprising elements of the innovation environment, value delivery process and innovation capability.

Keywords: strategic innovation management; regional innovation systems; RIS; evidence-based decision making; regional policy making; strategic policy intelligence tools; systemic modelling; regional innovativeness; bottom-up approach; rural development; regional development; value delivery; innovation capability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2014.063937

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2014 Vol.8 No.3, pp.295 - 314

Received: 15 Aug 2013
Accepted: 19 Jan 2014

Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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