{"id":4396,"date":"2023-02-04T08:21:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-04T08:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationisrael.org.il\/en\/?post_type=report&p=4396"},"modified":"2023-12-06T06:17:14","modified_gmt":"2023-12-06T06:17:14","slug":"an-innovation-driven-economy-in-the-periphery","status":"publish","type":"report","link":"https:\/\/innovationisrael.org.il\/en\/report\/an-innovation-driven-economy-in-the-periphery\/","title":{"rendered":"An Innovation Driven Economy in the Periphery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is the State of Israel worthy of its description as \u201cthe startup nation\u201d? The initial answer is surely \u201cyes\u201d \u2013 Israel is a world leader in terms of the number and quality of its startups. However, another question arises: is Israel the Startup Nation or is it just the Tel Aviv metropolitan area that can justifiably make this claim, and not the country as a whole?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This chapter seeks to examine this question \u2013 not only with regard to startup companies, but also in regard to the entire Israeli innovation system. It will propose a practical agenda with a dual goal: optimal use of the innovation resources that exist beyond the Tel Aviv metropolis for the benefit of the Israeli innovation system, and innovation-inclined economic growth throughout the country. We believe in a plan of action that will benefit both the Israeli innovation system Tel Aviv and the areas in the eographical periphery. However, this requires implementable solutions that consider the market forces acting on national innovation systems, that are adapted for each individual region. For example, an attempt to duplicate Rothschild Boulevard\u2019s high- tech activity in the Galilee or the negev may fail, or worse, come at the expense of successful practical solutions better suited to these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Geographical Specialization in Israel and its Ramifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When examining the geographical distribution of the various economic sectors in Israel, we must distinguish between results that are the consequence of economic forces at work in Israel and wishful thinking. The premise we must accept is that high-tech companies tend to concentrate in certain geographical areas, frequently in urban metropolises. The most prominent example of this is San Francisco although other centers such as London, Beijing and Berlin have followed suit in recent years. This phenomenon has many advantages, both for the companies themselves and for the regional economy. The companies inspire each other with technological knowledge, exchange skilled human capital, and attract investors. The trend has grown over the past decade, for reasons that include increasing technological complexity necessitating greater collaboration, and because of the increasing attraction of workers to vibrant urban areas. Katz, B. and Wagner, J. (2014). The Rise of Innovation Districts: A New Geography of Innovation in AmericaIn practice, today, more than 50% of venture capital investment in the world is concentrated in only ten urban metropolises.Florida, R. (Oct 3, 2017). Venture Capital Remains Highly Concentrated in Just Few Cities. Citylab <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other side of the coin is that the area in which they are concentrated benefits from accelerated growth and high-quality employment. As these regions develop, they become a powerful magnet, attracting most of the \u201ctalent\u201d, investors and entrepreneurs. While they serve as an economic growth engines, attracting innovation resources may harm the potential growth and quality employment in other areas. This dynamic can also have negative ramifications for the national economy by potentially increasing disparities and leading to an under-utilization of skilled workers who, for various reasons, are unable to work in these centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
similar \u201ccentralization\u201d trend in high-tech also exists in Israel: more than 60% of all high- tech jobs in Israel are located in the Tel Aviv and central regions, and as Diagram no. 1 illustrates, approximately 77% of the companies operate in this area. Diagram no. 2 reveals that this trend has even intensified in recent years with the growth in high-tech employment in Tel Aviv constituting approximately 70% of the total increase in this sector in Israel.CBS Data, Labor Force Survey, High-tech sectors excluding communications sector<\/p>\n\n\n\n