From the theoretical point of view, the project affirms the need for a systemic paradigm in economics founded on an event-based, relational ontology and the premise of emergence, that breaks away from neoclassical reductionisms, bridges several heterodox strands of economic theory, and recognises the irreducible, complex, evolving, non-deterministic and network-like nature of economic systems.
From the methodological point of view, the project uses, develops and combines cutting-edge mathematical, statistical and computational modelling tools, and applies them in novel directions. The fellowship has supported the researcher’s training in these advanced methods.
From the empirical point of view, the project maps and measures the multiplex network of European trade, capital and technological knowledge flows, and analyses its structure, dynamics and inter-layer interactions, shedding light on the role of GVCs in technology diffusion and, conversely, on the importance of innovative capacities in positioning an economy in GVCs.
From the normative point of view, the empirical findings of the project have significant implications for industrial, RTDI and cohesion policies. The project critically examines existing EU industrial policies and affirms the need for a novel, ‘holistic’ and equitable pan-European industrial policy with national and regional ramifications, which, by embracing the systemic paradigm and the network perspective of the production and innovation processes, will acknowledge the complex co-evolutionary processes involved in techno-industrial transitions and the importance of developing synergies instead of merely intensifying competition. This new industrial policy will concurrently accelerate the overall growth, technological transition and socio-economic cohesion of the EU by fostering diversity and flexible integration of national production and innovation systems in the European Production Network in a way that enables the knowledge-driven techno-industrial upgrading of peripheral economies, instead of just relying on their current ‘comparative advantages’.
