Theory meets reality - implementation of regional innovation instruments

It has been argued that the innovation system approach is a representative picture of how an innovation-driven economy works, and several innovation policy instruments have been developed with this approach as a theoretical foundation. VRI (Program for re gional R&D and innovation) is such an instrument. Therefore a study of the development of VRI projects in four regions in the meta-region Western Norway: Rogaland, Hordaland, Sogn og Fjordane og Møre og Romsdal, can shed light on this assumption. Further it can also inform new theories on innovation and governance. Comparative data has already been collected through participation in VRI-meetings and semi structured interviews in all four regions. The project will analyse these and aim to contribute both to the academic literature and to regional processes. The project output will be an international academic journal article and a popularized version of this, presentation of the results to regional and national VRI organisations and innovation policy makers. The project will also build networks between four regional research institutes in the meta-region. Such an evaluation is particularly relevant given that research and innovation activities increasingly will be regionalisation in the years to com e.