@article{MAKHILLTSS201914924810,
    title = {How to Think about Regional Development Agencies as a Sociologist},
    journal = {The Social Sciences},
    volume = {14},
    number = {9},
    pages = {326-334},
    year = {2019},
    issn = {1818-5800},
    doi = {sscience.2019.326.334},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1818-5800&doi=sscience.2019.326.334},
    author = {Borut and},
    keywords = {Regional development agencies,regional innovation systems,path-shaping,social fields,constraints,global trends},
    abstract = {Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have the paramount role in development and
implementation of regional development strategies. Due to the European Union principle of subsidiarity they
are firmly embedded in multi-level strategic processes. However, although strategic processes are social
processes, RDAs have rarely been the subject of sociological research. In this study, we conceptualize RDAs
as social actors operating at the two intersections, first of global (mega)-trends and local micro-contexts and
second as the intermediary between stakeholders in the regional innovation system. RDAs as social actors are
agents of path-shaping. As they are operating in conditions of high complexity and can only make ‘choice
within constraints’ they can perform this role only indirectly. They do it firstly, by employing reflexive and
careful contextual intervention in institutions, social networks and cognitive frames to shape choices and
constraints of other actors and secondly, by engaging and moderating strategic discourse.}
    }