Abstract
The aim of this paper was to describe the systemic links within the sets of regional development actors and at the same time placing these sets and the relevant systems into a wider framework, from both a structural point of view and a developmental one. The specific and activating role of an actor system was emphasized as a part of the second (institutional) level of factors influencing regional development.
These factors altogether create an institutional environment which has the key role of “an active mediator” between the primary factors and mechanisms of regional development. While primary factors (e.g. geographical location, capital resources or socio-cultural tradition) determine the “objective” and the traditional developmental potential of territorial units, secondary – institutional – factors may on the one hand create a new type of potential (for instance an innovative milieu – see Breschi, Lissoni, 2001) or even social capital.