Regions and trademarks: research opportunities and policy insights from leveraging trademarks in regional innovation studies

At the intersection of regional and innovation studies, trademark research is producing stylized facts, methodological lessons and policy insights underlining the importance of softer intangible assets for regional resilience and growth. Despite all the recent attention, there are still several opportunities that the present agenda-framing piece tries to canvas, identifying at least two directions for further research: the geography of innovation/entrepreneurship and regional specialization/diversification. Not only do these emerge from a dedicated special issue in Regional Studies (to which this paper also serves as an editorial), but they also unfold in emerging research and policy trajectories.

Automated summary

Trademark research in the intersection of regional and innovation studies has yielded stylized facts, methodological lessons, and policy insights that highlight the significance of intangible assets for regional resilience and growth. Despite the recent attention, there are still opportunities for further research in the areas of innovation/entrepreneurship geography and regional specialization/diversification.