Article – Applicability of Territorial Innovation Models to Declining Resource-Based Regions: Lessons from the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland
Carter, K. L., & Vodden, K. (2018). Applicability of Territorial Innovation Models to Declining Resource-Based Regions: Lessons from the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. Journal of Rural and Community Development, 12(2–3).
Resource dependent rural regions often struggle in the face of globalization and the movement towards a knowledge-based economy. Drawing on new regionalist literature related to territorial innovation models, this paper investigates the applicability of regional innovation systems and the quadruple helix of government, university, industry and community collaboration in innovation within the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, a struggling rural resource-based region. The research finds key factors, including a weak and dispersed private sector and a lack of resources at the municipal level, limit the effectiveness of territorial innovation model recommendations to spur innovation. Other elements of territorial innovation models related to learning, network facilitation, increased knowledge flows and connections with post-secondary institutions, and development of a shared vision and action plan could, however, benefit the region. Keywords: rural; territorial innovation models; regional innovation systems; quadruple helix