Lagging regions (LRs) are territories characterised by structural weaknesses, peripherality and low economic and entrepreneurial dynamism (Rodríguez-Pose, 2013; Batabyal & Beladi, 2015; Gong & Hassink, 2019). In these areas, there is a limited presence of social and entrepreneurial networks, a reduced quality of human capital, lower investment in research and development than in more advanced regions, and difficulties in attracting and retaining talent and innovative firms (Capello & Kroll, 2018; Gong & Hassink, 2019; Tödtling & Trippl, 2013). This is compounded by the scarcity of financial resources that hampers the generation and application of knowledge, leading to inefficiencies that penalise small and medium-sized enterprises in particular; therefore, productivity and economic growth in these contexts are lower than the national average and more developed regions (Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2021). Their difficulty in implementing technologically sound innovative processes limits their ability to activate the patenting process and develop a knowledge-based economy (Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2021; Filippopoulos & Fotopoulos, 2022). It is precisely the innovation gap that is reflected in lower economic welfare and reduced competitiveness compared to other areas. To close these gaps, strong infrastructural, technological and financial support is needed, which can support processes of technological innovation and the development of an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem (Batabyal & Beladi, 2015). Technological innovation, on the other hand, is a key element in the economic and social transformation of the LR. The ability to integrate scientific research with the needs of the business community favours the acceleration of growth processes and the creation of new economic opportunities (Farole et al., 2018). However, overcoming territorial inequalities requires both the strengthening of technology transfer networks between more advanced and less developed regions and the promotion of international forms of cooperation (Alvedalen & Boschma, 2017; Bischoff & Volkmann, 2018; Cavallo et al., 2018). In such a scenario, building an entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of supporting innovation and economic growth is essential to stimulate a competitive and resilient economy. An entrepreneurial ecosystem is known to be an open and dynamic system in which universities, businesses and public institutions interact, contributing to the creation of value and innovation (Kuckertz, 2019; Stam & Van De Ven, 2021). For such an ecosystem to be effective, it needs to be flexible and capable of adapting to environmental changes, as well as being supported by governance capable of coordinating and promoting innovative activities. Based on the above considerations, the aim of this thesis is to identify the role of innovation in regional development for the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem through the study of the regional innovation indicator. To complete the study, the case of Molise was examined, one of Italy's least developed regions, with a GDP per capita and employment level below the national average. With a small population and a limited territorial extension, this region represents an ideal context to study how innovation can be a lever to overcome structural barriers and stimulate economic and social growth. In recent years, Molise has recorded an increase in its innovation performance of 16.8%, outperforming the national and European average in the sales of innovative products. However, although the territory still suffers from shortcomings in product and process innovation, the analysis of the Regional Innovation Index shows that among the twenty-one indicators examined, those with the greatest impact are product and business process innovators. A critical aspect detected through the analysis is that many Molise companies prefer to purchase innovative solutions from outside rather than develop them internally (Bogetoft et al., 2024; Chudnovsky et al., 2006). This strategy allows for short-term benefits, but carries risks in the long run, as dependence on external innovations limits the autonomous ability to innovate, making the region vulnerable to rapid global technological changes. To strengthen its innovation ecosystem, Molise must encourage the active involvement of universities, businesses and public institutions. It is necessary to promote investment in research and development, to create spaces for synergic interaction between various actors in the regional ecosystem to promote innovation such as the Contamination Labs. Universities must take a central role in providing qualified human resources and facilitating technology transfer (Mason & Brown, 2014; Spigel & Harrison, 2018). Public institutions need to financially support these processes, while companies should focus on improving their innovative capacity and creating entrepreneurial networks to foster the diffusion of knowledge and technology. The theoretical implications of the study confirm that innovation is not solely dependent on economic investments but is the result of an integrated system of actors and favourable conditions (Capello & Kroll, 2016; Gong & Hassink, 2019). The ability to create a collaborative environment between universities, companies and institutions is crucial for the competitiveness of lagging regions. From a managerial perspective, companies should adopt strategies that combine the introduction of new products with business process improvement (Jacobides et al., 2018; Cobben et al., 2022). Furthermore, policymakers need to develop innovation support policies that are not limited to financial incentives, but also promote lifelong learning, infrastructural development and collaboration between economic actors. Therefore, a successful evolution of lagging regions depends on the ability to create an ecosystem that integrates innovation, collaboration and targeted investments (Thomas & Autio, 2020; Viktora-Jones, 2024). Only through a coordinated approach between universities, businesses and public institutions will it be possible to narrow the gap with more advanced regions and build a more competitive economic and social future.
Le regioni in ritardo di sviluppo (lagging regions - LR) sono territori caratterizzati da debolezze strutturali, perifericità e una scarsa dinamicità economica e imprenditoriale (Rodríguez-Pose, 2013; Batabyal & Beladi, 2015; Gong & Hassink, 2019). In queste aree si riscontra una limitata presenza di reti sociali e imprenditoriali, una ridotta qualità del capitale umano, investimenti in ricerca e sviluppo inferiori rispetto alle regioni più avanzate, difficoltà nell’attrarre e trattenere talenti e imprese innovative (Capello & Kroll, 2018; Gong & Hassink, 2019; Tödtling & Trippl, 2013). A tutto ciò si aggiunge la scarsità di risorse finanziarie che ostacola la generazione e l’applicazione della conoscenza, determinando inefficienze che penalizzano in particolare le piccole e medie imprese; pertanto, la produttività e la crescita economica di tali contesti risultano inferiori rispetto alla media nazionale e alle regioni più sviluppate (Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2021). La loro difficoltà nell’implementare processi innovativi tecnologicamente solidi limita la capacità di attivare la procedura di brevettazione e di sviluppare un’economia basata sulla conoscenza (Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2021; Filippopoulos & Fotopoulos, 2022). Proprio il divario innovativo si riflette in un minore benessere economico e in una competitività ridotta rispetto ad altre aree. Per colmare queste lacune, è necessario un forte supporto infrastrutturale, tecnologico e finanziario, che possano sostenere processi di innovazione tecnologica e di sviluppo di un ecosistema imprenditoriale efficace (Batabyal & Beladi, 2015). L’innovazione tecnologica, d’altronde, rappresenta un elemento chiave per la trasformazione economica e sociale delle LR. La capacità di integrare la ricerca scientifica con le esigenze del mondo imprenditoriale favorisce l’accelerazione dei processi di crescita e la creazione di nuove opportunità economiche (Farole et al., 2018). Tuttavia, il superamento delle disuguaglianze territoriali richiede sia il rafforzamento delle reti di trasferimento tecnologico tra le regioni più avanzate e quelle meno sviluppate, sia la promozione di forme di cooperazione internazionale (Alvedalen & Boschma, 2017; Bischoff & Volkmann, 2018; Cavallo et al., 2018). In tale scenario, la costruzione di un ecosistema imprenditoriale in grado di sostenere l’innovazione e la crescita economica è essenziale per stimolare un’economia competitiva e resiliente. Un ecosistema imprenditoriale è notoriamente considerato un sistema aperto e dinamico in cui interagiscono università, imprese e istituzioni pubbliche, contribuendo alla creazione di valore e innovazione (Kuckertz, 2019; Stam & Van De Ven, 2021). Perché tale ecosistema sia efficace, è necessario che sia flessibile e capace di adattarsi ai cambiamenti ambientali, oltre a essere supportato da una governance in grado di coordinare e promuovere attività innovative. Sulla base delle suddette considerazioni, l’obiettivo della tesi è volto a identificare il ruolo dell’innovazione nello sviluppo regionale per la creazione di un ecosistema imprenditoriale attraverso lo studio dell’indicatore di innovazione regionale. Per completare lo studio è stato approfondito il caso del Molise, una delle regioni meno sviluppate d’Italia, che presenta un PIL pro capite e un livello occupazionale inferiori alla media nazionale. Con una popolazione ridotta e una limitata estensione territoriale, questa regione rappresenta un contesto ideale per studiare come l’innovazione possa rappresentare una leva per superare le barriere strutturali e stimolare la crescita economica e sociale. Negli ultimi anni, il Molise ha registrato un incremento della propria performance innovativa del 16,8%, con risultati superiori alla media nazionale ed europea nelle vendite di prodotti innovativi. Tuttavia, anche se il territorio soffre ancora di carenze nell’innovazione di prodotto e di processo, dall’analisi del Regional Innovation Index emerge che tra i ventuno indicatori esaminati, quelli con il maggiore impatto sono proprio gli innovatori di prodotti e i processi aziendali. Un aspetto critico rilevato attraverso l’analisi è che molte imprese molisane preferiscono acquistare soluzioni innovative dall’esterno piuttosto che svilupparle internamente (Bogetoft et al., 2024; Chudnovsky et al., 2006). Questa strategia consente di ottenere benefici a breve termine, ma comporta rischi nel lungo periodo, poiché la dipendenza da innovazioni esterne limita la capacità autonoma di innovare, rendendo la regione vulnerabile alle rapide evoluzioni tecnologiche globali. Per rafforzare il proprio ecosistema innovativo, il Molise deve incentivare il coinvolgimento attivo di università, imprese e istituzioni pubbliche. È necessario promuovere investimenti in ricerca e sviluppo, creare spazi di interazione sinergica tra vari attori dell’ecosistema regionale per promuovere l’innovazione come i Contamination Lab. Le università devono assumere un ruolo centrale nel fornire risorse umane qualificate e nel facilitare il trasferimento tecnologico (Mason & Brown, 2014; Spigel & Harrison, 2018). Le istituzioni pubbliche devono supportare finanziariamente questi processi, mentre le imprese dovrebbero concentrarsi sul miglioramento della propria capacità innovativa e sulla creazione di reti imprenditoriali per favorire la diffusione della conoscenza e della tecnologia. Le implicazioni teoriche dello studio confermano che l’innovazione non dipende esclusivamente dagli investimenti economici, ma è il risultato di un sistema integrato di attori e condizioni favorevoli (Capello & Kroll, 2016; Gong & Hassink, 2019). La capacità di creare un ambiente collaborativo tra università, imprese e istituzioni è determinante per la competitività delle lagging regions. Dal punto di vista manageriale, le imprese dovrebbero adottare strategie che combinino l’introduzione di nuovi prodotti con il miglioramento dei processi aziendali (Jacobides et al., 2018; Cobben et al., 2022). Inoltre, i policymakers devono sviluppare politiche di supporto all’innovazione che non si limitino a incentivi finanziari, ma promuovano anche la formazione continua, lo sviluppo infrastrutturale e la collaborazione tra attori economici. Pertanto, una evoluzione positiva delle lagging regions dipende dalla capacità di creare un ecosistema che integri innovazione, collaborazione e investimenti mirati (Thomas & Autio, 2020; Viktora-Jones, 2024). Solo attraverso un approccio coordinato tra università, imprese e istituzioni pubbliche sarà possibile ridurre il divario con le regioni più avanzate e costruire un futuro economico e sociale più competitivo.
Il ruolo dell'innovazione nella creazione di un ecosistema imprenditoriale in una regione in ritardo di sviluppo
FORMISANO, Anna Vittoria
2025
Abstract
Lagging regions (LRs) are territories characterised by structural weaknesses, peripherality and low economic and entrepreneurial dynamism (Rodríguez-Pose, 2013; Batabyal & Beladi, 2015; Gong & Hassink, 2019). In these areas, there is a limited presence of social and entrepreneurial networks, a reduced quality of human capital, lower investment in research and development than in more advanced regions, and difficulties in attracting and retaining talent and innovative firms (Capello & Kroll, 2018; Gong & Hassink, 2019; Tödtling & Trippl, 2013). This is compounded by the scarcity of financial resources that hampers the generation and application of knowledge, leading to inefficiencies that penalise small and medium-sized enterprises in particular; therefore, productivity and economic growth in these contexts are lower than the national average and more developed regions (Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2021). Their difficulty in implementing technologically sound innovative processes limits their ability to activate the patenting process and develop a knowledge-based economy (Rodríguez-Pose et al., 2021; Filippopoulos & Fotopoulos, 2022). It is precisely the innovation gap that is reflected in lower economic welfare and reduced competitiveness compared to other areas. To close these gaps, strong infrastructural, technological and financial support is needed, which can support processes of technological innovation and the development of an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem (Batabyal & Beladi, 2015). Technological innovation, on the other hand, is a key element in the economic and social transformation of the LR. The ability to integrate scientific research with the needs of the business community favours the acceleration of growth processes and the creation of new economic opportunities (Farole et al., 2018). However, overcoming territorial inequalities requires both the strengthening of technology transfer networks between more advanced and less developed regions and the promotion of international forms of cooperation (Alvedalen & Boschma, 2017; Bischoff & Volkmann, 2018; Cavallo et al., 2018). In such a scenario, building an entrepreneurial ecosystem capable of supporting innovation and economic growth is essential to stimulate a competitive and resilient economy. An entrepreneurial ecosystem is known to be an open and dynamic system in which universities, businesses and public institutions interact, contributing to the creation of value and innovation (Kuckertz, 2019; Stam & Van De Ven, 2021). For such an ecosystem to be effective, it needs to be flexible and capable of adapting to environmental changes, as well as being supported by governance capable of coordinating and promoting innovative activities. Based on the above considerations, the aim of this thesis is to identify the role of innovation in regional development for the creation of an entrepreneurial ecosystem through the study of the regional innovation indicator. To complete the study, the case of Molise was examined, one of Italy's least developed regions, with a GDP per capita and employment level below the national average. With a small population and a limited territorial extension, this region represents an ideal context to study how innovation can be a lever to overcome structural barriers and stimulate economic and social growth. In recent years, Molise has recorded an increase in its innovation performance of 16.8%, outperforming the national and European average in the sales of innovative products. However, although the territory still suffers from shortcomings in product and process innovation, the analysis of the Regional Innovation Index shows that among the twenty-one indicators examined, those with the greatest impact are product and business process innovators. A critical aspect detected through the analysis is that many Molise companies prefer to purchase innovative solutions from outside rather than develop them internally (Bogetoft et al., 2024; Chudnovsky et al., 2006). This strategy allows for short-term benefits, but carries risks in the long run, as dependence on external innovations limits the autonomous ability to innovate, making the region vulnerable to rapid global technological changes. To strengthen its innovation ecosystem, Molise must encourage the active involvement of universities, businesses and public institutions. It is necessary to promote investment in research and development, to create spaces for synergic interaction between various actors in the regional ecosystem to promote innovation such as the Contamination Labs. Universities must take a central role in providing qualified human resources and facilitating technology transfer (Mason & Brown, 2014; Spigel & Harrison, 2018). Public institutions need to financially support these processes, while companies should focus on improving their innovative capacity and creating entrepreneurial networks to foster the diffusion of knowledge and technology. The theoretical implications of the study confirm that innovation is not solely dependent on economic investments but is the result of an integrated system of actors and favourable conditions (Capello & Kroll, 2016; Gong & Hassink, 2019). The ability to create a collaborative environment between universities, companies and institutions is crucial for the competitiveness of lagging regions. From a managerial perspective, companies should adopt strategies that combine the introduction of new products with business process improvement (Jacobides et al., 2018; Cobben et al., 2022). Furthermore, policymakers need to develop innovation support policies that are not limited to financial incentives, but also promote lifelong learning, infrastructural development and collaboration between economic actors. Therefore, a successful evolution of lagging regions depends on the ability to create an ecosystem that integrates innovation, collaboration and targeted investments (Thomas & Autio, 2020; Viktora-Jones, 2024). Only through a coordinated approach between universities, businesses and public institutions will it be possible to narrow the gap with more advanced regions and build a more competitive economic and social future.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14242/215083
URN:NBN:IT:UNIMOL-215083