This project aims at analysing the research and innovation performance of Switzerland compared to other regions of similar size and economic structure. The project focuses on the following four indicator areas:

1. Research activities of industry and academia
2. Direct results of research measured through patent applications and scientific publications
3. Innovation activities of firms (based on analyses of the Community Innovation Survey 2012)
4. Significance of research and knowledge intensive economic activities

The performance of Switzerland with respect to these indicators is compared to the following European regions: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North-west Italy (Lombardia and Piemont), metropolitan area of Paris, metropolitan area of London. From outside Europe, three U.S. regions (Bay Area, Boston, Seattle), four Chinese regions (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Guangdong), two Japanes regions (Kanto, Kansai), thre South-Korean regions (Seoul, Daejeon-Sejong, Busan-Daegu) and two Canadian regions (Quebec, Ontario) are used as benchmarks.