Opportunities and policy challenges of digital economy to small regions: the case of Gipuzkoa

Oportunidades y retos políticos de la economía digital para las regiones pequeñas: el caso de Gipuzkoa

Authors

  • Andoni Eizagirre Mondragon University

Abstract

Nations and territories have new and varied challenges with respect to promoting continuous growth in the economy. The purpose of this article is to determine the opportunities and difficulties faced by the territory of Gipuzkoa in the field of economics. In interviews and discussion groups with the principle agents of the territory, the unified commitment to industry over the last decades is unanimously appreciated. This commitment involves the complete transformation of the social and economic structure of the territory. However, disparities in business dynamism are evident, and the capacities and resources of companies to bring industry up to date in the digital economy and respond to new competitive factors are very different. This being the case, different perspectives are emerging to respond to challenges among agents. Nevertheless, two general issues are agreed upon: the territory is conceptualized as an active agent, and the need for updating the innovation system is recognized. This makes it possible to share strategies and to respond in a cooperative way to productive specialization.

Key words: digital economy, industry, territorial strategy, Gipuzkoa, discourse analysis.    

 

Resumen

Las  naciones  y  los  territorios  tienen  nuevos  y  variados  desafíos  con  respecto  a la promoción del crecimiento continuo en la economía. El propósito de este artículo es determinar las oportunidades y dificultades que enfrenta el territorio de Gipuzkoa en el campo de la economía. En entrevistas y grupos de discusión con los principales agentes del territorio, se aprecia unánimemente el  compromiso  unificado  con  la  industria  en  las  últimas  décadas.  Este  compromiso  implica  la transformación  completa  de  la  estructura  social  y  económica  del  territorio.  Sin  embargo, las disparidades  en  el  dinamismo  empresarial  son  evidentes,  y  las  capacidades  y  recursos  de  las empresas  para  actualizar  la  industria  en  la  economía  digital  y  responder  a  los  nuevos  factores competitivos  son  muy  diferentes.  Siendo  este  el  caso,  están  surgiendo  diferentes  perspectivas  para responder  a  los  desafíos  entre  los  agentes.  Sin  embargo,  se  acuerdan  dos  cuestiones  generales: el territorio se conceptualiza como un agente activo y se reconoce la necesidad de actualizar el sistema de   innovación.   Esto   permite   compartir   estrategias   y   responder   de   manera   cooperativa   a   la especialización productiva.

Palabras clave: economía digital, industria, estrategia territorial, Gipuzkoa, análisis del discurso.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir.18-1.6

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Published

2018-11-02

How to Cite

Eizagirre, A. (2018). Opportunities and policy challenges of digital economy to small regions: the case of Gipuzkoa: Oportunidades y retos políticos de la economía digital para las regiones pequeñas: el caso de Gipuzkoa. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 3(1), 68–81. Retrieved from https://epsir.net/index.php/epsir/article/view/85

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Research articles