Recent economic studies have rediscovered the existing relationship between economic activity and territory and how the former cannot be understood isolated from the territory in which it takes place. The Institute addresses the aforementioned relationship in the realm of competitiveness from a triple perspective: the cluster perspective, innovation, and the competitive analysis of the local sphere (municipalities and counties).

Research in this area is enhanced by the Institute’s participation in leading international networks such as the network headed by Harvard University’s Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness (ISC) and the European Network on Industrial Policy (Eunip), among others. The Institute also fosters collaboration agreements with other leading international networks.