Volume 18, Issue 1, 2026
Authors: Antonio CALERO-LÓPEZ, Aaron GUTIÉRREZ, Francesc Xavier GRAU
Lost in knowledge and regional development terminology: literature review of knowledge-based concepts and their singularities
The proliferation of concepts such as "knowledge region," "learning region," and "innovative region" in regional development discourse has led to significant terminological ambiguity. This article presents a systematic literature review of over 500 indexed sources to clarify and compare the most widely used knowledge-based regional development models. By analysing five key terms—knowledge region, learning region, innovating region, innovative region, and region of knowledge—the study identifies their conceptual foundations, components, and geographic applications. While many of these terms share overlapping characteristics, the findings reveal important distinctions in their emphasis on governance structures, the role of universities, and regional innovation strategies. The review also highlights the evolution of certain models, such as the transition from learning to innovating regions. Notably, the study underscores the centrality of regional governance in shaping knowledge regions, which emerge as the most coherent and widely applicable model. The article concludes by advocating for the use of consistent terminology in academic and policy contexts and suggests future research avenues focused on benchmarking good practices and refining regional development models. This work contributes to greater conceptual clarity in the field and supports more effective policy-making in knowledge-based regional development.
https://doi.org/10.37043/JURA.2026.18.1.1