This book presents the fmdings of a comparative study of three European
metropolitan regions: Vienna, Barcelona and Stockholm. The heart of the
work consists of empirical studies carefully designed and developed in
order to identify the main actors and mechanisms supporting
technological innovation in each of the metropolitan regions. The
authors have also highlighted the similarities and differences across
regions and countries, investigating how these came to be, and
discussing the possible implications. The introductory as well as the
concluding Chapter was written by Manfred M. Fischer who, assisted by
Attila Varga, was also responsible for Chapter 2 on the Metropolitan
Region of Vienna. Javier Revilla Diez contributed Chapter 3 on the
Barcelona Metropolitan Region. Folke Snickars has provided Chapter 4
which examines the Metropolitan Region of Stockholm and. All authors
have reviewed and commented on the whole contents so that the volume
represents a collective endeavour which has been rendered as homogeneous
as possible. A particular effort has been made to ensure that the study
is based on a common conceptual framework.