Reflections on the systems of innovation approach

This concluding article takes up some central theoretical aspects about the concept of system of innovation that were launched at the onset of this special issue. Acknowledging that the system of innovation approach is still not a theory in its own right, further efforts for theory development will focus on the main activities performed by the system. Beyond the main function of the system, which is to produce innovation, the article examines very briefly the most important of these activities. Last, the article summarises the findings about the system of innovation in relation to the European Union.