Innovators without borders: a critical evaluation of localisation, prioritisation and participation in the Alpine Space’s Smart Specialisation Strategy

Abstract

This study evaluates the implementation of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) within the Interreg Alpine Space Programme, focusing on the three core principles localisation, prioritisation, and participation across three pilot projects: CaSCo (Carbon Smart Communities), SmartCommUnity, and ASTAHG (Active and Healthy Ageing Governance). Grounded in territorial cohesion theory and evolutionary economic geography, the research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining patent-based quantitative analysis with qualitative document analysis of project reports. Evidence suggested that localization was unevenly applied, with strong alignment in regions like Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (timber construction) and Vienna (health tech), but with weaker matches in less specialized areas (e.g., Slovenia), highlighting path dependency challenges. Prioritization, assessed via a relatedness-complexity matrix succeeded in projects which targeted high-relatedness/high-complexity sectors. Participation varied significantly among projects: SmartCommUnity’s Regional Stakeholder Groups (RSGs) exemplified quadruple helix engagement, while CaSCo and ASTAHG leaned toward technocratic governance, marginalizing civil society. The study underscores asymmetries in S3’s macro-regional application, advocating for more dynamic capability assessments tools and more meaningful participation practices.