Abstract
Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization (S3) emphasize the need for an interactive and consensus-based decision-making process involving different stakeholders in their development. This paper offers a systematic review of the literature aimed at understanding whenever and to which extent the collaborative governance framework is considered in studies on S3. Collaborative governance refers to processes and structures engaging non-state stakeholders in public decision-making and management. We intend to identify in this framework the emerging opportunities and challenges towards the definition of facilitators for local stakeholders leading to an effective governance. From the articles selected, stakeholders are mainly recognized as responsible for the success of S3 development in its different steps and as actors included in an innovation system. New tools and structures need to be developed to address a set of critical aspects, especially in gaining active participation and overcoming old institutional frameworks. In addition, future studies need a more solid theoretical background and a rigorous case study development. Both the models of triple and quadruple helix are recalled, highlighting the necessity to further involve the demand side by ensuring citizens to actively participate in the design of the strategy.