Regional Transformation and Innovation Policy

Globalization, climate change and digitization represent the major challenges of our time. As highly interconnected and integral elements of innovation and value creation systems, the subsystems of science, business and society are exposed to constant and high pressure to undergo transformation as a result of these megatrends. This drives our interest in knowledge and our will to research. We develop solutions for business, politics and society.

The researchers of the Department of Regional Transformation and Innovation Policy analyze, evaluate and develop instruments for shaping regional transformation processes and innovation policy interventions. Based on current scientific methods and findings, they support clients and partners from politics, science, society and business in the strategic planning and design of their future cooperation, transfer and funding activities. In this way, they contribute to closing the gaps between research and practice and to solving societal and economic challenges – from conception to implementation.

 

Our methodology

Using our research-based methods, we support innovation-driven and regional transformation processes. In doing so, we focus specifically on advanced data science techniques, innovation policy interventions and in-depth analyses of sectors and regions undergoing structural change. Our methodological expertise includes, amongst other things:​

• Functional system analyses to evaluate regional innovation systems based on key aspects such as knowledge development, diffusion and utilization
• Stakeholder analyses to identify key stakeholders
• Network analyses to identify relationships and cooperation structures within regional innovation systems
• Input from experts through qualitative interviews, stakeholder dialogues and participatory workshops to integrate experiential knowledge, diverse perspectives and to jointly develop solutions

Using these and other approaches, we help organizations navigate complex and uncertain developments in transformation processes. We challenge existing mindsets and institutional biases and foster learning processes. Through our methodological expertise, we open up new courses of action and strengthen the development of robust future strategies for the sustainable transformation of industries and regions.

An essential component of our work is the active involvement of stakeholders. This ensures that our analyses and tools are practical, application-oriented, and viable for the future, thus enabling well-informed and responsible decision-making.