The role of shared identity projects in fostering regional innovation and growth

Abstract

Regional agglomerations of related organizations and businesses, also called regional networks or clusters, are supposed to have positive effects on the regional economy in terms of growth and innovation. While there are many studies on general drivers of innovation on the micro, meso, and macro levels, the special role of regional identity in fostering collaborative innovation on the meso level is not well explored. Based on a case study of local and regional networks in Berlin a hypothetical model is developed containing attributes of network identity that enhance shared identity projects to support collaborative innovations and growth.