Finnish Competition State - State Transformation in Finland and the Emergence of a Competitiveness Policy in the Helsinki region

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Finland underwenta profound restructuring that saw it change from acountry deep in recession to a global model of theknowledge economy. At the same time, the Helsinkiregion transformed itself into one of the mostcompetitive regions in Europe. Thisbook examines policy changes related to thesetransformations, by analysing major shifts in statepolicies, urban strategies and university activity.At the level of national policies, the book tracesadjustments in innovation, university, regional andinformation society policies. As regards urban-regional strategies, the emergence andcharacteristics of an urban competitiveness policyin the Helsinki region are scrutinised."This is, simply, an outstanding contribution togeopolitical economy. Neil BrennerProfessor of Sociology and Metropolitan Studies, NewYork University Pelkonen makes an important contribution totheoretical debates on state capacities and policydesign in science, technology and innovation. Theempirical studies are expertly conducted. Mats BennerDirector, Research Policy Institute, Lund University During the 1990s and early 2000s, Finland underwent a profound restructuring that saw it change from a country deep in recession to a global model of the knowledge economy. At the same time, the Helsinki region transformed itself into one of the most competitive regions in Europe. This book examines policy changes related to these transformations, by analysing major shifts in state policies, urban strategies and university activity. At the level of national policies, the book traces adjustments in innovation, university, regional and information society policies. As regards urban- regional strategies, the emergence and characteristics of an urban competitiveness policy in the Helsinki region are scrutinised. //"This is, simply, an outstanding contribution to geopolitical economy. //Neil Brenner Professor of Sociology and Metropolitan Studies, New York University // Pelkonen makes an important contribution to theoretical debates on state capacities and policy design in science, technology and innovation. The empirical studies are expertly conducted. //Mats Benner Director, Research Policy Institute, Lund University