A final aspect of a comprehensive regional assessment is understanding the underlying attitudes toward business in a region. The availability of strong regional assets and knowledge networks helps innovators identify new ideas and new partners. A supportive business culture can lead to stronger networks and a willingness to invest in regional innovation assets.

One key aspect of a regional business culture is the degree to which business leaders are willing to collaborate and share ideas even when they compete in some circumstances. For regions to get ahead of the innovation curve, local leaders must be willing to share insights. Another key area to evaluate is regional attitudes toward risk. If entrepreneurship is to take hold, risk taking must be appreciated and celebrated.

A final cultural area to assess is regional appreciation of people from diverse experiences and backgrounds. Since innovators, by their very nature, are often different from the norm, regions where the populations respect and embrace differences may have an easier time cultivating innovators.

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