Abstract
In the original publication the authors’ affiliations were incompletely represented. The complete affiliations are represented here. © 2021, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.

Abstract
Smart specialisation is a major driver of contemporary regional development policy in the European Union. Politicians, policymakers, and academics enthusiastically wave smart specialisation as the remedy that will fix the problems affecting previous policy rounds. The expectations towards the ‘remedial' effect of smart specialisation bear on the assumption that the policy approach will place the emphasis on what is unique in a given region by means of a so-called entrepreneurial process of discovery, basically a wide participatory process, underpinning a learning mechanism aimed at revealing the R&D and innovation domains in which that region can hope to excel. Universities are generally seen as central organisations in smart specialisation strategies, as made explicit in policy documents and academic papers. The chapter aims at knowing more about the power of smart specialisation policies to induce change in university-industry interactions and the promotion of sustainable growth.

Abstract
The scant literature that addresses issues related to the Technology Balance of Payments (TBP) often refers that a surplus balance may correspond to a high degree of technological autonomy, a low level of technology imports, or an inability to assimilate foreign technologies. It is not clear, however, from this literature whether, and to what extent, the balance of the TBP is related to countries' international competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to detail the evolution of the TBP for Southern European countries and to assess the extent to which it influences these countries' international competitiveness. Using static and dynamic panel data techniques on data for four Southern European countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) between 2000 and 2017, our results highlight that a positive TBP significantly contributes to foster countries' international competitiveness.

Abstract
Most empirical research on the effects of the economic downturns has been a-spatial and overlooked the location choices of creative industries (CIs). The present study addresses an open debate on whether economic downturns have pushed a change in the relative importance of resilience-based versus traditional CIs location factors. Considering the location choices of 6332 CIs Portuguese start-ups in the period 2005-2012, we found that: (1) the crisis brought changes in the relative importance of location factors, enhancing traditional CI location factors such as technology and diminishing the relevance of resilience-based factors related to regions industrial specialisation; (2) resilience-based factors, such as industrial diversity, higher education, cultural and social networking and traditional CI factors, namely lower social inequality and life quality, were robust drivers for the emergence of new start-ups all over the period; and (3) although cultural policy significantly and positively support the emergence of new CIs start-ups in the crisis period, the austerity period reversed that role. Our results suggest that the sustainable development of regions implies encompassing public stimulus to the generation of a diversified, interdependent network of creative activities, able to enhance innovation through their own synergies and linkages with the rest of the economy.

Abstract
The issue of population ageing is no longer exclusively centred on developed countries. Empirical studies have proven that the rise in the proportion of the older age group has been already visible in the least developed countries (LDCs). The primary concern of population ageing in LDCs is that ageing is approaching LDCs even faster than approaching developing and developed countries. We found that despite the common factors such as human capital development, female participation in the labour market and economic growth, the annual growth rate of the ageing of LDCs highly depends on international aids (health care and development) and the rising number of emigrations over the working-age population. Our empirical results suggest that the existence of the ageing population in LDCs determine by the involvement of international bodies in supporting the welfare system of the country and the policy initiatives of developed countries in attracting migrant workers of LDCs to overcome the ageing problem in their countries.

Abstract
Purpose This study aims to understand why young people are interested in buying frugal innovations. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected with a survey administered to 534 university students enrolled in various fields of study (e.g. sciences, technology, economics and fine arts). Using the Tata Nano car as an example of frugal innovation, a model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology was developed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The model's results reveal that effort expectancy, performance expectancy and facilitating conditions are critical factors that explain university students' intention to buy Tata Nano. Originality/value Although frugal innovations are often introduced first in developing countries, frugal innovations could be highly relevant to users in developed nations as these innovations can provide market opportunities in terms of cost-conscious, relatively low-income and sustainability-conscious consumers.