It is generally assumed that cities are focal points or hubs in processes of knowledge generation and diffusion, and, consequently, centres of regional innovation Systems. This paper questions the importance of local influences in current reorganisation processes of regional knowledge Systems by making use of the triplehelix concept on innovation processes. Using the example of four knowledge Systems in the major economic clusters of the region Frankfurt/Rhein- Main - i.e. chemical industries, automobile manufacturing, biotechnology and finance -, it is concluded that the specialisation process taking place among German metropolitan regions and the emergence of Frankfurt as a hub for market access is driven mainly by non-local forces.
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Eike W. Schamp (2001) studied this question.