Companies, Cultures, and the Region: Interactions and Outcomes

European integration is based on the idea of regional differentiation. Therefore, a diverse range of specific regional cultures have to be accepted, and space for individual paths of regional development is required. This also influences economic competitiveness and innovation because regional differentiation enables complementarities and synergies. Nevertheless, this European idea is under pressure as the reality of European integration is more and more driven by the homogenization, standardization and deregulation that go hand in hand with increasing globalization. A strong commitment to local/regional traditions and specialities is therefore required to counterbalance these trends and thus reinforce the underlying European model.