For citation:
Vasilenko, E. V. (2024). Regional Innovation System and Regional Innovation Ecosystem: Conceptual Differences. AlterEconomics, 21(4), 777–796. https://doi.org/10.31063/AlterEconomics/2024.21-4.7
Abstract:
Management theory and practice demonstrate widespread interest in regional innovation ecosystems. It is believed that their functioning has a beneficial effect on the development of regional and, consequently, state economies. They are also are able to support and develop specific areas: industry, innovation, science, etc. At the same time, there is a discussion among scientists about the relevance of using the concepts of “ecosystem” and “regional innovation ecosystem” in economic discourse. A number of researchers allow the use of “regional innovation system” and “regional innovation ecosystem” as synonyms. Hence the need to determine significant conceptual differences between these concepts and justify the introduction of a “regional innovation ecosystem” into the economic conceptual apparatus. The subject of the article is the conceptual differences between the two concepts; The aim is to justify the need to introduce a “regional innovation ecosystem” into the economic conceptual apparatus. The methodological basis of the work is systemic and ecosystem approaches. Through comparative analysis, the author identifies significant conceptual differences between the “regional innovation system” and the “regional innovation ecosystem” and proves the need to introduce the latter into the economic conceptual apparatus. It is important that the similarities and differences between the two concepts established in the work relate to the studied concepts, and not to their physical embodiments. The results of the study can be used by scientists working in this subject field; by practitioners implementing the ideas of the concepts of a regional innovation system or regional innovation ecosystem in the activities of their organizations; by developers of the regulatory environment for regional development. The prospects for the development of the study lie in the transition from a comparison of concepts to a comparison of examples of their practical implementation.
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