Foresight for regional policy: technological and regional fit
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose and discuss a new regional foresight methodology.
Design/methodology/approach
The first part describes the methodology and the organizational process adopted for implementing foresight at the regional level and highlights the criticalities. The research methodology is based on a case study. The case is the analysis of the industrial and regional sectors and the technological families in the Lombardy region.
Findings
This methodology analyses trends, technologies and industries, returning a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators. Then, it aggregates them, building two matrixes (trends/technologies and technologies/industries). Finally, it evaluates the future importance of a technology (the attractiveness of a technology for the long-term competitiveness of the regional main industrial sectors) and the capabilities of the regional industrial, technical and scientific system to develop specific technologies (feasibility for the regional system to develop the chosen technology).
Originality/value
The originality lies in an integrated analysis of the possible futures and their relation with the industrial world. Its value is as a tool to suggest policies and R&D investments. It is possible to provide a sound basis for science and technology policymaking.
Keywords
Citation
Battistella, C. and Pillon, R. (2016), "Foresight for regional policy: technological and regional fit", Foresight, Vol. 18 No. 2, pp. 93-116. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-09-2014-0058
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited