Open AccessBringing borders back into cross-border regional innovation systems: Functions and dynamics
Author(s) -
Francesco Cappellano,
Teemu Makkonen,
Virpi Kaisto,
Christophe Sohn
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
environment and planning. a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.74
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1472-3409
pISSN - 0308-518X
DOI - 10.1177/0308518x221073987
Subject(s) - economic geography , perspective (graphical) , function (biology) , dynamics (music) , regional science , field (mathematics) , political science , sociology , geography , computer science , pedagogy , mathematics , evolutionary biology , artificial intelligence , pure mathematics , biology
International boundaries have been mainly considered as barriers in literature on the ‘cross-border regional innovation system’ (CBRIS), in line with their traditional understanding. In this paper, we underline that such a perspective presents limits, and argue in favour of an understanding of multidimensional borders that are subject to dynamic change over time. By mobilizing conceptualizations from the field of border studies, we examine the various functions of borders to explain the innovation-led development potential in cross-border regions. In this view, international borders can function as an interface, a marker of difference or a symbol, rather than a mere barrier that separates regions. Further, we suggest that these border functions are key factors in explaining the ‘fluctuating’ integration dynamics of regional innovation systems across the border. Mobilizing evidence from two case studies in European and North American contexts, the paper sheds light on the border as a potential resource for innovation and discusses implications for future research.