The Changing Role of Learning Regions in the Globalizing Knowledge Economy: A Theoretical Re-examination

ASHEIM B. The changing role of learning regions in the globalizing knowledge economy: a theoretical re-examination, Regional Studies. Highlighting four theoretical developments, this paper theoretically re-examines the learning region in view of the changing roles of regions in the globalizing knowledge economy: (1) from specific contexts to general regional development strategies; (2) introducing the doing-using-interacting (DUI) mode of innovation; (3) broadening the science-technology-innovation (STI) mode; and (4) accessing knowledge in distributed knowledge networks. This paper advocates a more nuanced understanding of knowledge, learning and innovation, and identifies 'bridging mechanisms' to reduce cognitive distance and increase connectivity in regional innovation systems.