In the study of innovation systems, a regional innovation system encourages the rapid diffusion of knowledge, skills and best practice within a geographic area larger than a city, but smaller than a nation. The edge of a regional innovation system may be drawn conceptually and organizationally around the economic, social, political and institutional relationships that generate a collective learning process within a related group of technological or functional areas.
Ontario Network in the Regional Innovation System. http://www.utoronto.ca/onris/ Ret. August 19, 2009.