Incomplete innovative arrangements: divergent situations and complementary opportunities
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Regions and metropolises in crisis often contain widely overlooked competencies. Although their situations are characterized by outdated products, they also possess valuable capabilities that can serve as a foundation for renewed competence building. As long as such competencies, skilled labour forces and enterprises remain active in the region or metropolis, they can be leveraged for new and innovative processes when additional knowledge becomes available. These competencies are frequently underexplored but can facilitate structural transformation by synergizing with supplementary competencies. Since the region or metropolis is characterized by an incomplete innovative arrangement, such synergy necessitates interregional collaboration. From industrial and regional development, we learn that creative ideas and innovative processes can emerge when traditional competencies and high-tech solutions are merged. Enterprises and locations can develop unique selling points or become integrated into value chains. Contextualizing industries, consulting, R&D, markets and skills allows for new opportunities. It also demonstrates that opportunities exist within a crisis when contextual capabilities are strategically utilized. Regions can become innovative, even if they were not previously aware of their potential. They improve their capabilities and can sustain their strengths or remain participants in value chains.
Source: European Planning Studies
Author: Ulrich Hilpert
Institution: Hans Böckler Foundation
Language: English
Subfield: Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Funder: Hans Böckler Stiftung
OpenAlex ID: W4413340821