S02-E11 - "Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies: A Systematic Literature Review"

The 11th episode of the 2nd season of podNECE presents a study that provides a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of research surrounding Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3), particularly within the European Union. By examining 68 key publications, the authors identify a strategic shift toward place-based innovation policies that leverage local knowledge to foster economic growth and diversification. The study maps the evolution of the field into four primary clusters—knowledge, policy, innovation, and specialization—while highlighting the entrepreneurial discovery process as a vital bottom-up mechanism for identifying competitive advantages. Furthermore, the work addresses six critical implementation challenges, such as the risk of favoring established interest groups and the difficulties faced by structurally weaker regions. Ultimately, the sources synthesize a decade of practical experience to suggest how multi-level governance and collaborative leadership can better support sustainable regional development.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-025-02736-3podNECE is a podcast by NECE - Research Centre for Business Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal.