Beyond Smart Specialisation: Introducing Complex Innovation System Thinking and the Will Factor in Regional Innovation Policies

Regions are attributed an important role in innovation policy and since at least the launch of the current funding period of the European structural and investment funds (ESIF), European regions face the challenge to conceive Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Special-isation (RIS3). Departing from this new innovation policy paradigm, this paper addresses specific challenges for regional innovation policy making, aiming at delivering indications for supporting the related processes. It addresses questions like : How can innovation policy on the regional level define its position in the new strategy-building context? Which factors may be decisive to contribute to efficient policy-making? How can policy making be supported by new concepts and approaches in innovation research?