Book excerpt: 'A must read for academics and regional planners alike who wish to understand the workings of a regional innovation system. The authors have given a fresh, comprehensive and sound analysis which offers an excellent framework for regional innovation policy design.' - Mikel Landabaso, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium This book provides an extensive evaluation of the numerous policy instruments used by regional governments in Europe to promote innovation activity in Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). The instruments are compared and benchmarked in order to identify 'good practice', in an effort to bridge the gap between the theory of regional innovation and real-world policy implementation.