Metropolitan Innovation Systems: A Comparison between Barcelona, Stockholm, and Vienna

Abstract

This article uses data from the European Regional Innovation Survey to provide insights into the innovative activity and innovation networking of the most important innovation actors, namely manufacturing firms, producer service firms, and research institutes. The innovation capacities of the metropolitan innovation systems differ markedly. In respect to cooperation partners, vertical relationships predominate. Only in Stockholm do research institutes play a significant role in assisting innovation processes in manufacturing firms. Spatial proximity of cooperation partners is very important, confirming the concept of territorially based systems of innovation. At the same time, the actors surveyed cooperate intensively with cooperation partners outside the region.