Regional development agencies and scientific-technological and innovation policies: SPRI in the Basque Country (1981-2019)

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33231/j.ihe.2025.02.05

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of regional development agencies (RDAs) in the design and implementation of scientific-technological and innovation policies. The selected case is the Basque Country, a former industrial region whose evolution, from 1980 onwards, has been characterized by the specialized literature as a success story of productive transformation supported by a decisive industrial policy of the regional government. The case is framed within the literature on the role of RDAs in industrial policy. The paper analyses the RDA’s nature, mission and functions and its relationship and coordination with the regional government through three dimensions –the RDA’s political weight, degree of autonomy, and importance in those policies–, and two methodologies –the quantification of its absolute and relative share in the government’s budget and a qualitative in-depth analysis of its role in various policy programs–. The work offers interesting findings both to the theoretical literature and to policymakers and government officials..

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Published

2025-06-02

How to Cite

Alabort Amundarain, E., & Valdaliso Gago, J. M. (2025). Regional development agencies and scientific-technological and innovation policies: SPRI in the Basque Country (1981-2019). Investigaciones De Historia Económica, 21(2), 107–136. https://doi.org/10.33231/j.ihe.2025.02.05

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ARTICLES