Regional innovation networks-multimedia and regional development strategies in Germany

Based on an analysis of restructuring activities in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg (Germany), which aim at a reduction of the economic dependence on some industrial key sectors (car manufacturing, machine tool industry), the question is addressed of what role regional innovation networks can play in this context. Most restructuring activities at the moment are stressing information and communication technologies, which pose specific challenges for cooperation and networking. Therefore the paper examines networks and strategies which aim at creating new multimedia clusters on a regional basis. The empirical basis of our study is a multimedia initiative in Stuttgart/Baden-Wuerttemberg.