Governance Factors for a Socio-Technical Transition in Innovation Ecosystems

This chapter investigates the governance factors enabling socio-technical transitions within rural innovation ecosystems, with a specific focus on the role of Local Action Groups (LAGs). Considering the policy mix framework, this study analyses four main dimensions of governance, namely, enabling actions, governance barriers, policy instruments, and stakeholder participation through a qualitative content analysis of Local Development Strategies from 15 LAGs in the Campania region, in Italy. The findings show that, although LAGs are strongly focused on sustainability, transparent financial management, and wide stakeholder engagement, important gaps exist regarding strategic policy design, policy experimentation, and the systematic evaluation of governance tools. These gaps could decrease the potential of LAGs to operate as an adaptive and transformative unit within rural socio-technical systems. The results will underline the need for more coherent and learning-oriented governance approaches to supporting the capacity for rural innovation ecosystems to drive sustainable transitions. Moreover, the results provide insights for policymakers and contribute to the wider debate on governance frameworks supporting socio-technical change in heterogeneous territorial contexts.