The object of the study is to analyse the interconnections between the regional industry, service and research structure in the metropolitan region of Vienna and the background conditions for innovatory activities within a regional innovation system. As a means of achieving a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the potential for innovation, industrial enterprises were asked in a written poll about their own research activities and innovation-oriented relationships with other major players (production service providers, research facilities, other industrial enterprises, i.e. purchasers, suppliers, and competitors) in and around region. In this way, it has been possible to create a unique data basis which can be used to make a substantial contribution to quantifying innovation networks and to clarifying regional innovation processes.