Presentation on Innovation in Rural Areas at the Regional Studies Conference in London

Rural areas present certain disadvantages for companies engaged in research and development (R&D), which is why such companies are more commonly found in urban regions. However, initial results presented by Petrik Runst at the Regional Studies conference in London from an ongoing Thuenen-WI research project show that the disadvantages of peripheral locations are less pronounced for innovative companies without R&D. These non-R&D innovators in rural areas have a qualitatively different innovation profile than those in urban regions. For example, they tend to focus more on process innovation or the first-time application of existing technologies in their local context.

Contact: Dr. Petrik Runst