Functional Analysis Framework of Regional Innovation System in Developing Countries

Functions, actors, and multi-level governance are three essential elements of regional innovation systems. Functions are dynamic capabilities that cause sustainable competitive advantage and economic growth of regions in addition to realizing development, dissemination and exploitation of innovation. However, not only the theoretical foundations of functional analysis of regional innovation have been developed to a limited extent, but discussions have been provided without considering the different ecological conditions of the regions. In this study, in addition to explaining the concept of function, based on qualitative content analysis methodology, the functions of regional innovation system in developing countries are presented. The study pupulation included all books, research reports and articles from 1995 to 2017. Finally, based on criterion-based sampling, 93 sources were analyzed. Eight functions resulted are: "regional innovation governance and guide the direction of search capability", "capability to build innovation ecosystem", "capability to technology scanning and predicting technologies of companies and industries", "capability to industrialization based on technology (Fits DUI approach)", "empowerment, support and resources mobility capability (human, financial, etc.)", "networking, interactive learning, overflowing and knowledge accumulation" , "capability to stimulate/create markets" and, finally, the "capability to discover and disseminate entrepreneurial opportunities."