Promoting entrepreneurship socio-ecosystems: the confluence of STI, IRS3 and culture in regional development

The global pursuit of scientific excellence often steers science, technology and innovation (STI) policies towards high-tech domains, creating disconnects with the developmental needs of lagging regions. Using an in-depth case study of North Khorasan Province, Iran, this research explores the misalignment between global STI policies and local needs. It contends that such regions should prioritise place-based innovation rooted in local assets and cultures over chasing high-tech domains. The study applies the IRS3 model (innovation, research, synergy, society, service), which fosters synergy among universities, government, industry and civil society (quadruple helix) via smart specialisation. This governance framework enabled ‘appropriate integration’, leveraging STI to modernise and add value to traditional sectors like agriculture and handicrafts while preserving cultural heritage. Evidence from ten successful initiatives, including drought-resistant seeds and global branding for artisan carpets, demonstrates tangible outcomes: new value chains, higher productivity, reduced out-migration and preserved indigenous knowledge. The key conclusion is that lagging regions should not replicate Silicon Valley but develop a context-sensitive entrepreneurial ecosystem, investing in robust innovation governance for sustainable, endogenous modernisation that is both economically and culturally resilient.