Understanding the concepts of innovation in regional governance

In: Wrocławskie Studia Politologiczne, Band 20, S. 7-24

Abstract

Understanding the concepts of innovation in regional governanceThe purpose of this paper is to present the concepts of innovation in regional governance — both their theoretical foundations and empirical dimension. The concepts proposed here are rooted in the public management model, while the idea of regional governance is based on the framework of a multi-level system of making and implementing political decisions. The article analyses definitions of innovation and the process of its implementation. This, in turn, provides a research tool for examining regional governance. The authors present a definition of innovation in public management — a sphere oriented toward meeting common needs of society, as contrasted with the market-oriented private sector. They proceed to pointing out the doctrinal sources of pursuing innovation in public management: theories of democracy, civil society, knowledge, social capital and networks. Finally, they propose a three-part analytical model for examining innovation in regional governance. The study is based on a typical scientific literature review using the following research methods: analysis, synthesis and theoretical modelling.