The relationship between innovation, networks and localities is of central concern for many nations. However, despite increasing interest in the components of this research triangle, efforts in these fields are hampered by a lackofconceptual and empirical insights. This volume brings together contributions from a distinguished group of scholars working in different but related disciplines, and aims to provide a fresh look at this research triangle. The objective is to offer a concise overview of current developments and insights derived from recent studies in Europe and North America. All of the contributions are based on original research undertaken in the various regions and nations and are published here for the first time. We are grateful to all those who have contributed to this volume for their willingness to participate in the project. Without their co-operation this book would not have been possible. We should like, in addition, to thank Angela Spence for her careful linguistic editing and assistance in co-ordinating the production of the camera ready copy. Lastly, but not least, we wish to express our gratitude for support from our home institutions, and in particular the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Institute for Urban and Regional Research), the Austrian Ministry for Science and Transport, the Styrian Government (Section for Science and Research) and the Federation of Austrian Industry in Styria for the financial backing received. April 1999 Manfred M.

1 Innovation, Networks and Localities: An Introduction.- A: Knowledge, Innovation and Technology Networks.- 2 The Innovation Process and Network Activities of Manufacturing Firms.- 3 Are Innovation Networks Bounded by Proximity?.- 4 Globalisation and Territorial Production Systems.- 5 Clustering, Innovations and Trust: The Essentials of a Clustering Strategy for Scotland.- 6 Interfirm Co-Operation and Learning within SME-Networks: Two Case Studies from the Styrian Automotive Cluster.- B: Location of Knowledge-Based Activities and Spatial Patterns of Innovation.- 7 The Location of Knowledge-Based Activities: The Case of Computer Software.- 8 Localised Knowledge Spillovers and Trade Competitiveness: The Case of Italy.- 9 Innovation and Performance of SMEs in Italy: The Relevance of Spatial Aspects.- 10 Time-Space Patterns of US Innovation - Stability or Change?.- 11 Where are the World's Top 100 I.T. Firms and Why?.- C: Innovative Infrastructures, Technology Policies and Regional Development.- 12 The Adoption of New Communications Technologies by Firms in Rural Areas: A Scottish Case Study.- 13 Innovative Forms of Regional Structural Policy in Europe: The Role of Dominant Concepts and Knowledge Flows.- 14 Regional Technological Distance and Catching Up.- 15 Concluding Remarks.- Author Index.- List of Contributors.