• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2003

This paper aims to examine the contribution that the ERVET System, composed of ERVET and real service centers, has made to both governing and enhancing regional innovation system in Emilia Romagna, Italy. ERVET and real service centers both establish and perform plans for regional development and innovation. But they also try to provide varieties of real services for local firms, mostly small and medium-sized firms. Attempting to promote innovation networks between industries, universities and administrative bodies, the ERVET System has become a core intermediary agency of Emilia Romagna in both governing regional innovation system and enhancing regional innovation capabilities. Based on the case of the ERVET System, we propose a policy recommendation. As local governments in Korea have still been less autonomous but hierarchical, it would be difficult for them to make the decision effectively on regional innovation and development initiatives. In this context, we suggest that regional development agencies need to be established on the basis of benchmarking advanced cases in Europe and North America such as the ERVET System.