This course provides an introduction to current regional development theories and concepts as well as into current dilemmas in innovation and industrial policies.

The course covers three main blocks: i) conceptual perspectives on regional development, ii) empirical illustrations via case-studies, iii) current approaches to industrial and innovation policies

The following topics will be presented and discussed:

1. Regional development in Czechia in European perspective

2.-3. Institutional theories of regional development: Triple helix, Regional innovation systems theory, new path development model, the role of organizational- and system-level agency in regional development, related variety, differentiated knowledge bases

4.-5. Global production networks

6.-7. Technology transfer in Central and Eastern Europe

8. Global production networks and regional innovation systems: contrasting or complementary policy implications?

9. Evaluation of innovation policies

10. Smart specialisation strategy - European approach and Czech experience

11. Discussion of individual end-course papers introduced by students

To successfully complete this lecture, a presentation of an end-course paper of 2-4 ths words in English in required.