Innovation Policy (innovation + policy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Harmonising Higher Education and Innovation Policies: Canada from an International Perspective

HIGHER EDUCATION QUARTERLY, Issue 1 2009
Marie Lavoie
Abstract This paper focuses on the relevance of harmonising higher education and innovation strategies in the context of fostering economic growth, illustrated by the particular weak point in the case of Canada. The present-day market for highly-skilled labour is global and therefore increasingly porous. A government that wishes to avoid losing its highly-skilled workers to countries that can provide more attractive conditions must aim at investing simultaneously in tertiary education and science and engineering infrastructure. Ideally, supply (higher education) and demand side (innovation) policies would interact in a balanced way. Canada is located at the two extreme ends of investment in higher education and innovation and will be compared to other OECD countries. The paper concludes that seeking policy convergence in innovation and higher education with leading countries is not sufficient to reach growth and can produce disappointing results for talented people whose career expectations may remain unfulfilled. It is therefore crucial for a country to develop higher education and innovation ,in harmony' with the global context and also to achieve harmony between other policies and institutions in its own national context. [source]


Innovation Policy and Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship

ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 5 2008
Jennifer L. Woolley
In this article, we explore the relationship between innovation policy and new venture creation in the United States. Specifically, we examine two components of innovation policy in nanotechnology,science and technology (S&T) initiatives and economic initiatives,and their relationship with the founding of nanotechnology firms. We find strong support relating new firm formation to S&T and economic initiatives. States with both S&T and economic initiatives had six times as many firms founded than those states without such initiatives. We also find evidence of a first-mover advantage as states with the earliest innovation policies had higher rates of related firm foundings over time. These findings suggest that states that are most attractive to entrepreneurs not only pursue technological innovation and provide resources, but also encourage and legitimize commercial development. Implications for public policy makers and scholars are provided. [source]


Innovation and Peripherality: An Empirical Comparative Study of SMEs in Six European Union Member Countries

ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2008
Andrew Copus
Abstract This article examines the rates of innovative activity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in central areas and equally developed but less accessible areas in six European Union member states. The probability of innovating is well predicted by the observable characteristics of firms, entrepreneurial characteristics, and business networks. More accessible areas consistently present higher rates of innovative activity than do their peripheral counterparts. The difference in the rates of peripheral and central areas is decomposed into observable and non-observable factors. The entire innovation gap is attributed to nonobservable factors that constitute a combination of behavior and environment. Innovation policy for SMEs should aim to meet businesses' specific needs (firm-specific factors) and to sustain and improve the innovative environment. [source]


Innovation, Entrepreneurship und Demographie

PERSPEKTIVEN DER WIRTSCHAFTSPOLITIK, Issue 2008
Dietmar Harhoff
A number of high-technology industries have established themselves in Germany only slowly over the last decades. Innovation policy has tried to support the startup of high technology enterprises, e.g., by improvements for certain types of finance, incentives for founders and the reform of technology commercialization at universities. However, these measures have been counteracted by the German tax system which affects innovation adversely in some parts. Moreover, the emerging shifts in the age structure of the German population could affect innovation incentives and entrepreneurship negatively. Another important demographic aspect is the dominance of men in science and technology. Stronger participation by women in male-dominated scientific and technical professions could compensate partially for the effects of changes in the age structure. [source]


The innovating region: toward a theory of knowledge-based regional development

R & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2005
Henry Etzkowitz
This paper sets forth a model of knowledge-based regional development conceived as a set of multi-linear dynamics, based on alternative technological paradigms. Utilizing longitudinal data from a Swedish region, and international comparisons, four stages of development are identified: Inception, Implementation, Consolidation and Renewal. Innovation policy is created ,bottom-up' as an outcome of ,collective entrepreneurship' through collaboration among business, government and academic actors , the ,triple helix'. The key event is the creation of an entrepreneurial university, whether from an existing academic base or a new foundation, which takes initiatives together with government and industry to create a support structure for firm formation and regional growth. The result of these initiatives is a self-sustaining dynamic in which the role of academia and government appears to recede as industrial actors come to the fore and a lineage of firms is created. Nevertheless, as one technological paradigm is exhausted and another one is needed as the base for new economic activity, the role of academia and government comes to the fore again in creating the conditions for the next wave of innovation. [source]


Innovation and Knowledge Management: The Long View

CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2001
Michael Lester
The challenge of the e,Economy is one of technological change and the innovation process affords insights into how this new knowledge can be harnessed across the economy to increase productivity and generate wealth. The conceptual framework for this paper is National Systems of Innovation (NSI) as applied to Australia Edquist (1997); Freeman (1995). NSI allows us to take a holistic view of innovation that realistically blends technology with institutional elements, particularly including issues of collaboration. Taking a Long View (Schwartz (1991), that is, looking back on the legacy of experience with the innovation process, will also facilitate looking forward strategically from Australia's current practices, and to speculate on the prospects. This paper illustrates selectively and not comprehensively, from my own direct experience, the evolution of innovation policies in Australia and speculates on their implications for collaboration in the e,Economy by drawing on selected case studies in Research and Development, Industry and Trade, and the e,Economy. It also draws upon work for my doctorate in knowledge management at the University of Technology. The selection and synthesis of theory inevitably also reflect, however idiosyncratically, my academic training in engineering, politics and economics. [source]


Innovation Policy and Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship

ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 5 2008
Jennifer L. Woolley
In this article, we explore the relationship between innovation policy and new venture creation in the United States. Specifically, we examine two components of innovation policy in nanotechnology,science and technology (S&T) initiatives and economic initiatives,and their relationship with the founding of nanotechnology firms. We find strong support relating new firm formation to S&T and economic initiatives. States with both S&T and economic initiatives had six times as many firms founded than those states without such initiatives. We also find evidence of a first-mover advantage as states with the earliest innovation policies had higher rates of related firm foundings over time. These findings suggest that states that are most attractive to entrepreneurs not only pursue technological innovation and provide resources, but also encourage and legitimize commercial development. Implications for public policy makers and scholars are provided. [source]


The Internationalisation of UK R&D

FISCAL STUDIES, Issue 3 2001
Nicholas Bloom
Abstract Policies to promote research and development (R&D) are high on the government's agenda. R&D and innovation are seen as key drivers of economic growth and important for raising UK productivity. This paper considers recent trends in UK R&D performance. We show that UK R&D is more internationalised than that of other G5 countries and is becoming increasingly so at a faster rate. A rising share of UK R&D is funded from abroad and UK firms are undertaking more of their R&D overseas. Using an international panel of countries, we show that R&D in one country responds to a change in the price in another ,competitor' country. This suggests that UK innovation policies could play an important role in determining whether increasingly footloose R&D locates in the UK or moves overseas. [source]


From citadels to clusters: the evolution of regional innovation policies in Australia

R & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2004
Sam Garrett-jones
In Australia, the federal (central) and State (regional) governments share constitutional responsibility for aspects of science and innovation policy. In practice, the federal government has tended to overshadow the States both in funding and policy for research and innovation. It can be argued that we are now seeing the strong rebirth of regionalism (at least at the State level) as far as government support for science, technology and knowledge-based industries is concerned. The paper traces the growth of regional innovation policies through examples of initiatives from South Australia and other regions and examines the respective contributions of the State and federal governments. The character of State government support has evolved over the last 15 years, from sponsoring grand ,technology citadels' to today's strategies that take a more bottom-up approach to building intense innovation environments, local clusters and knowledge hubs. Some of these trends reflect the influence of the global knowledge economy on regional industries, while others (notably the relative decline of the federal government as an R&D performer) are peculiarities of the Australian innovation system. The outcome is a significant evolution in Australia's innovation system, one which parallels responses to globalisation in other countries and suggests a different , but not diminished , role for public sector innovation policy. [source]


Innovation Policy and Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship

ENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 5 2008
Jennifer L. Woolley
In this article, we explore the relationship between innovation policy and new venture creation in the United States. Specifically, we examine two components of innovation policy in nanotechnology,science and technology (S&T) initiatives and economic initiatives,and their relationship with the founding of nanotechnology firms. We find strong support relating new firm formation to S&T and economic initiatives. States with both S&T and economic initiatives had six times as many firms founded than those states without such initiatives. We also find evidence of a first-mover advantage as states with the earliest innovation policies had higher rates of related firm foundings over time. These findings suggest that states that are most attractive to entrepreneurs not only pursue technological innovation and provide resources, but also encourage and legitimize commercial development. Implications for public policy makers and scholars are provided. [source]


Brain competition policy as a new paradigm of regional policy: A European perspective

PAPERS IN REGIONAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010
Christian Reiner
Brain competition policy; human capital; innovation; Europe Abstract The emerging knowledge economy has led to an increase of demand and locational competition for highly-skilled labour. Brain competition policy (BCP) is the reaction from national and regional policymakers. In short, BCP refers to the attraction, education and circulation of talent in and between regional and national economies. This new focus on human capital instead of physical capital indicates a paradigmatic shift in innovation policy and regional policy. While most of the contributions to this new policy approach come from the US, it can be demonstrated that different institutions in Europe prevent the simple copying of those strategies. The article contributes to the ongoing paradigmatic shift by conceptualizing a coherent framework for BCP from a European perspective. Abstract La emergente economía del conocimiento ha llevado a un aumento de la demanda y competencia en localización de mano de obra altamente especializada. Las políticas de competencia por talento (PCT) son la reacción nacional y regional de formuladores de políticas. En resumen, PCT se refiere a la atracción, educación y circulación de talento dentro de, y entre, economías regionales y nacionales. Este nuevo enfoque en cuanto a capital humano en lugar de capital físico indica un cambio paradigmático en políticas innovadoras y políticas regionales. Aunque la mayoría de aportes a este nuevo enfoque de políticas proviene de los EE.UU., se puede demostrar que las diferentes instituciones europeas impiden el copiar simplemente dichas estrategias. El artículo contribuye al cambio paradigmático continuo mediante la conceptualización de un marco coherente para PCT desde una perspectiva europea. [source]


From citadels to clusters: the evolution of regional innovation policies in Australia

R & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2004
Sam Garrett-jones
In Australia, the federal (central) and State (regional) governments share constitutional responsibility for aspects of science and innovation policy. In practice, the federal government has tended to overshadow the States both in funding and policy for research and innovation. It can be argued that we are now seeing the strong rebirth of regionalism (at least at the State level) as far as government support for science, technology and knowledge-based industries is concerned. The paper traces the growth of regional innovation policies through examples of initiatives from South Australia and other regions and examines the respective contributions of the State and federal governments. The character of State government support has evolved over the last 15 years, from sponsoring grand ,technology citadels' to today's strategies that take a more bottom-up approach to building intense innovation environments, local clusters and knowledge hubs. Some of these trends reflect the influence of the global knowledge economy on regional industries, while others (notably the relative decline of the federal government as an R&D performer) are peculiarities of the Australian innovation system. The outcome is a significant evolution in Australia's innovation system, one which parallels responses to globalisation in other countries and suggests a different , but not diminished , role for public sector innovation policy. [source]


State of the Arts and Innovation: Before and After the Review of the National Innovation System

AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 3 2009
Luke Jaaniste
This article examines the relationship between the arts and national innovation policy in Australia, pivoting around the,Venturous Australia,report released in September 2008 as part of the Review of the National Innovation System (RNIS). This came at a time of optimism that the arts sector would be included in Australia's federal innovation policy. However, despite the report's broad vision for innovation and specific commentary on the arts, the more ambitious hopes of arts sector advocates remained unfulfilled. This article examines the entwining discourses of creativity and innovation which emerged globally and in Australia prior to the RNIS, before analysing,Venturous Australia,in terms of the arts and the ongoing science-and-technology bias to innovation policy. It ends by considering why sector-led policy research and lobbying has to date proved unsuccessful and then suggests what public policy development is now needed. [source]


Employment impacts of cleaner production , evidence from a German study using case studies and surveys

BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 3 2001
Friedhelm Pfeiffer
The study assesses net employment effects of technical progress, which can be expected by the ongoing transition from end-of-pipe technologies towards cleaner production. Empirical evidence is presented on the basis of case studies and firm data including a telephone survey from German industry. The main result is that the transition from end-of-pipe technologies to cleaner production leads to a net creation of jobs, which is however restricted to a only small number of firms and to the group of highly skilled labour. Eco-innovations, like other innovations, are non-neutral. The demand for skilled and highly skilled labour rises while the demand for unskilled labour decreases. Synergies between environmental, labour market and innovation policy are apparent but they are however small and specific. The exploitation of these synergies requires the design of specific policy programmes differentiating between types of eco-innovation. The promotion of product-integrated environmental measures should be more successful if new products complement older ones, while process-integrated environmental measures should be more successful if consumers' demand is more price elastic. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment [source]


The National Research Council of Canada: Institutional change for an era of innovation policy

CANADIAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION/ADMINISTRATION PUBLIQUE DU CANADA, Issue 3 2000
G. Bruce Doern
There are two main themes. The first is that the nrc has changed considerably in a way that reflects both the diverse and contested meanings of the innovation policy paradigm that gradually emerged under the Mulroney Conservative era and then under the Chrétien Liberal era. The second theme is that as these newer policy and strategic rubrics were imposed, partially accepted and adapted, the nrc inevitably had both to confront and change, and also defend and support, its own traditions as a complex government science agency that still values research for its own sake and as a public good. The nrc could not help but involve all of its organizational characteristics, namely, as an organization of scientists, as a politically controlled agency, as a national institution, and as a regionally dispersed institution of numerous and varied institutes. Sommaire: Cet article examine la transformation institutionnelle du Conseil de recherche du Canada (CRC) au cours de cette demière décennie, dans le contexte politico-économique des politiques d'innovation. L'article s'articule sur deux thèmes principaux: premièrement, le CRC a beaucoup changé et reflète les perspectives à la fois diverses et contestées du paradigme des politiques d'innovation qui a vu le jour progressivement sous les Conservateurs de Mulroney puis les Libéraux de Chrétien. Deuxièmement, tandis que ces nouvelles politiques et stratégiesétait imposées par-tiellement acceptées et adaptées, elles ont inévitablement forgé le CRC à confronter, modifier ainsi que défendre et appuyer ses propres traditions d'organisme scienti-fique gouvememental complexe, qui accorde toujours une grande valeur à la recherche en tant que telle et en tant que bien public. Le CRC ne pouvait éviter de faire jouer toutes ses caractéristiques organisationnelles, c'est-à-dire en tant qu'organisme de scientifiques, en tant qu'agence contrôlée politiquement, en tant qu'institution nationale, et en tant qu'institution régionalement dispersée comprenant de nom-breux instituts différents. [source]