Summary: English
The main goal of this thesis lies in the comparison of diverse benchmarking methodologies aimed at comparing the development state of regional innovation systems. One of the main contributions intended with it is determining the robustness of innovative capacity evaluation methodologies in the regional arena. This involves a detailed study of those R&D and innovation indicators to be included in the above mentioned methodologies. Finally, once the main features, lacks and weaknesses of the previous methods have been observed, we aim at analysing the interest offered by the efficiency analysis as a complementary methodology towards assessing the innovative capacity. The rationale for using efficiency as a complementary proposal to those already existing in the scientific literature lies in the fact that these methodologies are mainly based on a “the more the better” rationale, as their main foundation is the amount of resources employed, but not the way they are used. In this sense, we consider that the fact of illustrating the need of incorporating efficiency criteria in the evaluation (or regional benchmarking) of innovative capacity related methodologies constitutes the other main contribution of this research.
From the set of goals defined above, the working plan of the thesis has been constituted by three main research paths:
1.- Benchmark the Spanish Innovation System.
This first step, by using methodologies oriented to the measurement of the innovative capacity, aims at analyzing the most relevant features of a regional innovation system, in this case, taking all the Spanish regions as the main unit of analysis. It will allow us to deepen first in the understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the studied methodologies, to then approach the reality of Spanish regions as regards innovation activities.
2.- Benchmark the Valencian Innovation System.
The main target of this second step lies in determining the most suitable indicators to evaluate the capacities/weaknesses of a regional innovation system in a European peripheral region. It will also allow us to approach the relationship between benchmarking practices and the learning in regional innovation policy making processes.
3.- Illustrate the need to complement innovative capacity evaluation methodologies by using efficiency criteria.
According to the conclusions achieved in the previous steps, this stage aims at showing the need, and the subsequent usefulness for innovation policy makers and managers, of using efficiency concepts when evaluating regional innovation policies. With it we do not expect offering an alternative methodology, but showing the need to complement the conclusions to be inferred from the application of the existing methodologies with that coming from the application of a specific criterion that we consider to be crucial in the future study of innovation systems.