Analysing the Interactions Between Key Stakeholders in a Regional Innovation System (Case Study: Rab-e- Rashidi Special Region of Science and Technology)

Analysis of the regional innovation systems plays a pivotal role in innovation policy to shape innovation conditions as well as create regional advantages. To be successful in developing an innovation system and increasing efficiency, identification and concentration on potentials is crucial. In this paper, based on the the Triple Helix approach (University-Industry-Government), a method is proposed for identification and assesment of key stakeholders of a regional innovation system. The method is applied in analysing stakeholders' interactions in the Rab-e-Rashidi Special Science and Technology Zone in Tabriz. First, stakeholders of the innovation system of East Azerbaijan province are introduced and by using power-interst analysis, key stakeholders are selected. Then, their interactions are analysed and initiatives for the development of the regional innovation system has been suggested. The results show that the most central stakeholders for the development of the regional innovation system are Science and Technology Park, General Directorate of Information and Communication Technology and knowledge-based companies. Using the results of three different interactions (informational, operational and infrastructural), suggestions for improving the regional innovation system in an evolutionary process have been presented.