Abstract

This paper describes the perception of a peripheral scientific élite regarding its institutional links with its significant environment. Through interviews and secondary data, the paper reveals the gap between existing capacities, the desire to innovate and the support of industry and the state to develop technology-intensive businesses. It concludes that scientists with social capital and “social comparison spaces” have better opportunities to form links with industry than the incentives provided by the state and academia to do so. Our research therefore contributes to an understanding of the new actors of economic development on the periphery according to their beliefs, desires and expectations.