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
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.
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