Building Knowledge Regions in North America: Emerging Technology Innovation Poles

Focusing on emerging technology regions of the US, Canada and Mexico, the authors provide an analysis of firms' innovative milieus in three contexts: national systems of innovation, knowledge regions and incubation mechanisms. An overview of the evolution of each region over the past quarter century is presented, along with an evaluation of the effectiveness of science parks and technology incubators in various regional and national environments.Though the three countries studied share the same continent and have well-developed trade relations, the significant differences between them in level of development, industrial infrastructure, education, and systems of innovation provide insight into the successes and failures of select knowledge regions. The authors find that areas with a solid industrial base benefit from, but do not necessarily require, formal technology incubation mechanisms to evolve into successful innovation poles. In contrast, remote regions with good research capacity, and those with an average industrial or research base, must develop an entrepreneurial culture and close cooperation between universities, industry and government with formal incubation mechanisms serving as focal points. Scholars of innovation systems, technology policy, entrepreneurship and regional development will find this fascinating study of great interest, as will science and technology policymakers, university officials and regional leaders.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Preface 1. The Key Elements of Innovation Infrastructure and the Evolution of Knowledge Regions: A Framework for Analysis 2. US Technology Infrastructure and the Development of Regional Innovation Poles through Incubation Mechanisms 3. Canada’s Innovation Poles and their Role as Technology Incubation Spaces 4. Mexico: The Challenge to Create Regional Innovative Environments 5. Comparative Analysis of the Selected North American Knowledge Regions: Lessons and Conclusions References Index

About the Author :
Leonel Corona, Professor of Economics of Innovation, National University of Mexico, Jérôme Doutriaux, Professor Emeritus, University of Ottawa, Canada and Sarfraz A. Mian, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, State University of New York, Oswego, US

Review :
'The book is an important contribution to understanding the key elements of success for the different technology innovation poles in the US, Canada and Mexico. . . The book most definitely succeeds in providing important case-study based lessons as to why an how some technology innovation poles are more fortunate than others in developing, attracting, and retaining technology-based firms.' 'Learning and knowledge regions are all the rage today, from Peru to the European Union, so few books could be more timely than this. . . there is a very valuable discussion of what works and what doesn't and corroboration of many of the things we have come to understand about knowledge regions. . . this is a very interesting book and a contribution to our understanding of how nations can be successful in this increasingly important issue of public policy.'