Lost in knowledge and regional development terminology: review of knowledge-based concepts and their singularities
Lost in knowledge and regional development terminology: review of knowledge-based concepts and their singularities

Summary/Abstract: The proliferation of concepts such as “knowledge region”, “learningregion”, and “innovative region” in regional development discourse has led tosignificant terminological ambiguity. This article presents a systematic literaturereview of over 500 indexed sources to clarify and compare the most widely usedknowledge-based regional development models. By analysing five key terms—knowledge region, learning region, innovating region, innovative region, andregion of knowledge—the study identifies their conceptual foundations, components, and geographic applications. While many of these terms share overlappingcharacteristics, the findings reveal important distinctions in their emphasis ongovernance structures, the role of universities, and regional innovation strategies. The review also highlights the evolution of certain models, such as thetransition from learning to innovating regions. Notably, the study underscoresthe centrality of regional governance in shaping knowledge regions, whichemerge as the most coherent and widely applicable model. The article concludesby advocating for the use of consistent terminology in academic and policycontexts and suggests future research avenues focused on benchmarking goodpractices and refining regional development models. This work contributes togreater conceptual clarity in the field and supports more effective policy-makingin knowledge-based regional development.

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