Introduction: Entrepreneurial knowledge, technology and the transformation of regions / Charlie Karlsson and Urban Grasjö -- The global entrepreneurship and development index / Z.J. Acs -- Startups and their effects on local development : the case of Sweden / H. Westlund, A. Rader Olsson and J.P. Larsson -- Open innovation profiles in Italian manufacturing companies / M. Crema, K. Venturini and C. Verbano -- Business networking in Oxfordshire : scope and regional dynamics / H. Lawton Smith and S. Romeo -- Trends and patterns in outsourcing and offshoring in the European automotive industry / P. Warda -- The role of knowledge heterogeneity on the innovative capability of industrial districts / N. Carbonara and M. Tavassoli -- Absorptive capacity and exporting and importing decisions : an application for developing economies / L. Márquez-Ramos, I. Martínez-Zarzoso and F. Johannsen -- The M & A exit : science-based firms / Mattia Cattaneo, M. Meoli, S. Paleari and S. Vismara -- Geographic concentration and vertical disintegration in KIBS : evidence from the metropolitan area of Milan / R. Antonietti and G. Cainelli -- The comprehensive role of knowledge and institutional endowments on regional transformation : evidence from Skåne, Sweden / A. Aggelakis -- Unlocking the potential of innovation and entrepreneurship : the role of local policy in cities / D. Hackler -- Implementation of a cluster based local development strategy : a comparative analysis of Danish and American experiences based on the medium sized town regions of Eau Claire and Sønderborg / A.P. Cornett, M. DaCosta and M.B. Ingstrup -- Impact of government support policy on the performance of SMEs in the regional industries of South Korea / S. Doh, B. Kim and S. Kim -- Enterprise support in deprived urban neighbourhoods : some challenges and lessons for government intervention / H. Huggins and N. Williams.