Secondary schools in regional innovation systems

Continuing technological progress and the pressure for digitalisation and innovation are forcing regions to transform their innovation systems (Regional Innovation Systems, RIS). RIS rely on the cooperation of actors from the public, private and non-profit sectors. It is often depicted graphically as a triangle of actors (the so-called triple helix) of 1) government and regional institutions, 2) private industry, and 3) universities and research institutions. One of the main contributions of the project is the extension of this paradigm to include the role of secondary schools as the basis of the human factor in regions and as actors of innovation in the region. Innovation is an important policy issue for the Czech Republic, the EU and the just transition to a sustainable economy (see Green Deal for Europe). Targeted support for innovation will be provided to the regions of the Czech Republic through various instruments, with increased concentration of support on the coal regions of the Czech Republic.
Main objective of the project in 2024 and 2025 is to revise the Triple Helix RIS concept and extend it to include the role of secondary schools. There are three further sub-objectives: 1) analyse the situation of RIS in the Czech Republic and in the regions, 2) examine the role of secondary schools in regional innovation systems and 3) analyse the role of secondary schools in coal regions of the Czech Republic with regard to transformation processes. Based on a research of available sources and guided interviews with representatives of secondary schools and representatives of regions in the Czech Republic, the concept is extended and the role of secondary schools in the regions of the Czech Republic is analysed and compared. There are several types of secondary schools in the country. Therefore, guided interviews will be conducted with representatives of a cross-section of all secondary schools in selected regions of the Czech Republic (industrial secondary schools, commercial secondary schools, grammar schools and representatives of regions). On this basis, the project will progressively deliver: 1) a presentation at the regionally oriented 2024 RSA annual conference in Florence and at another conference at national level, 2) a workshop for secondary schools on the possibilities of participation in RIS, 3) a scientific publication in a WoS-registered journal (Q1 or Q2, tentatively targeting the International Journal of Innovation Studies, IJI), and 4) dissemination of the activities on the VŠE website (a special page presenting an information leaflet for secondary schools).
Regional innovation systems have been the subject of academic articles for the last three decades. During this time, they have become the most influential approach for analysing and designing policies aimed at innovation-based regional development (Asheim at. al., 2019; Asheim and Gertler, 2005). Local actors from the public and private sectors play a role in the outcomes of regional innovation systems (Autio, 1998; Doloreaux, 2002). One of the basic concepts of RIS theory is the triple helix model. It was originally proposed by Carayannis, Barth (2012) and further elaborated by, for example, Pělucha and Květoň (2016). According to a modified version, innovation is a joint effort of three key actors: government, industry and universities and research institutions (Etzkowitz and Leyesdorff, 1995). Current literature describes the third key actor as universities and research institutions. However, secondary schools also play a role in RIS in a certain way. The science and research paradigm is extended to complement their role in RIS. Furthermore, the question arises as to whether the current paradigm is collapsing precisely because of the lack of future planning and talent management, the low orientation towards young scientists and the weak involvement of educational actors.