Mapping and Analyzing the Transport Innovation Framework of the Region of Central Macedonia, Greece

摘要

The regions of the European Union (EU) countries could play a significant role in implementing European and national policies towards the enhancement of innovation and competitiveness of the transport-related ecosystem of key stakeholders and actors. Regional policies may cover a wide spectrum of fields, such as investments in enhancing main innovation capacities, funding schemes for the expansion of transport-related entrepreneurship, institutional changes, etc. Thus, understanding the regional transport innovation framework through a structured and systematic approach is required in order to inform the relevant decision-making process at a regional level. In this paper, we explore the transport innovation framework of the Region of Central Macedonia (RCM) in Greece. Based on desk research, we identify and list the main transport innovation capacity-related cases that have already been, are ongoing to be, or are planned to be implemented in the future. Then, we analyze the transport innovation context by investigating the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, through which the main existing and potential areas of competitive advantage, as well as the barriers and enablers of transport innovation in the RCM emerge. For this purpose, we apply a qualitative research method. In particular, we conducted ten (10) in-depth personal interviews with key individuals, coming from various bodies of the "triple helix." The approach adopted and followed provides a framework, based on which more targeted regional policy interventions could be promoted, aiming to leverage the transport innovation potential at the regional level.