The Barcelona Metropolitan System of Innovation

Abstract

This chapter provides statistical evidence on the innovation system of Barcelona. The case study region comprises the communities of Barcelones, Maresme, Valles Oriental, Valles Occidental and Baix Llobregat which, from a functional point of view, form the metropolitan region of Barcelona (see Fig. 3.1). Two thirds of the Catalan regional product comes from the metropolitan region of Barcelona, which at the same time concentrates the largest number of research institutes in Catalonia. After an overview of the economic performance and structure of the Catalan capital (Section 3.1), the Spanish and Catalan innovation system is briefly characterised in Section 3.2. Special attention is paid to the development of regional institutions. This development is a consequence of the decentralisation process introduced by the 1978 Constitution, as well as the increase in international competition following Spain’s entry into the European Community. As a result of the innovation-averse economic policy of the Franco era, the major challenge has been the transformation of the innovation system. The innovative capabilities in the business and science sector are less developed and not as well linked with each other as they are in more advanced regional economies.