A new open access article by Lennart Schott and Kerstin J. Schaefer has been published in Growth and Change. The study examines how regional technological capabilities shape both the innovation and the implementation of automated driving (AD) technologies across Germany. Adopting an evolutionary perspective, the authors integrate patent data with online job advertisements to capture where AD innovations are developed and where firms demand and implement the related skills. This approach provides a more comprehensive view of regional path development by linking invention and application. The findings show that German regions combining strong capabilities in both automotive technologies and information and communication technologies (ICT) are significantly more likely to innovate in and implement AD than regions specialised in only one of these domains. In contrast, traditional automotive regions without concurrent ICT specialisation face greater challenges adapting to the technological shift, limiting opportunities for successful path renewal. These results point to the need for targeted policy interventions, including fostering cross-industry collaboration between automotive and ICT actors and implementing focused upskilling and reskilling programmes. Such measures can mitigate regional disparities, strengthen competitiveness, and support the shift from mechanics to data-driven capabilities.
This publication is a result from the NMWK funded project „InArbeit“.
Schott, L.; Schaefer, K. J. (2025): From Engines to Algorithms? Regional Innovation and Implementation of Automated Driving Technologies in Germany. Growth and Change, 56(4), e70079. DOI: 10.1111/grow.70079
