National Innovation Systems—Analytical Concept and Development Tool
Top Cited Papers
- 5 February 2007
- journal article
- fundamentals and-debate
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Industry and Innovation
- Vol. 14 (1), 95-119
- https://doi.org/10.1080/13662710601130863
Abstract
The term national system of innovation has been around for more than 20 years and today it has become widely spread among policy makers as well as among scholars all over the world. This paper takes stock and looks ahead from a somewhat personal point of view. It also gives some insight into how and why the concept came about. The paper argues that a key to progress is to get a better understanding of knowledge and learning as the basis for innovation and to understand how different modes of innovation complement each other and find support in the specific national context. A core of the innovation system is defined and it is illustrated that it is necessary both to understand micro‐behaviour in the core and understand “the wider setting” within which the core operates. Concepts used in organization theory referring to fit and misfit may be used to enrich the understanding of the performance of innovation systems. At the end of the paper I discuss some further developments needed to make the concept relevant and applicable to developing countries. Here special attention is given to institutions and capabilities supporting learning. I point to the need to give more emphasis to the distribution of power, to institution building and to the openness of innovation systems.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- IntroductionInnovation, 2006
- When Does a National Innovation System Start to Exhibit Systemic Behavior?Industry and Innovation, 2003
- Comparing innovation systems: a framework and application to China’s transitional contextResearch Policy, 2001
- National systems of economic learning: the case of technology diffusion management in East AsiaInternational Journal of Technology Management, 2001
- The dynamics of innovation: from National Systems and “Mode 2” to a Triple Helix of university–industry–government relationsResearch Policy, 2000
- Towards an explanation of regional specialization and industry agglomerationEuropean Planning Studies, 1997
- The new wave of regional innovation networks: Analysis, characteristics and strategySmall Business Economics, 1996
- The Learning EconomyJournal of Industry Studies, 1994
- Exploring Fit and Misfit with Multiple ContingenciesAdministrative Science Quarterly, 1989
- Sectoral patterns of technical change: Towards a taxonomy and a theoryResearch Policy, 1984