INNOVATIVE NETWORKS AND THE TECHNOPOLIS PHENOMENON - THE CASE OF SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS

An attempt is made, first, to assess the technopolis project of Sophia -Antipolis, and, second, to propose a qualitative means of understandi ng local systems of innovation. A quantitative analysis based on the e valuation of the Sophia-Antipolis development indicates success, but s eems to be insufficient to give an indication of the economic strength of the project. A theoretical analysis of local systems of production and innovation appears to be necessary; such an analysis is carried o ut, and ends with the definition of a concept of innovative network th at is based on the coordination modes of local activities and the rela ted incentive schemes. This framework is then applied to Sophia-Antipo lis, and allows a qualitative assessment of the project, revealing som e weaknesses in the local context.