Encyclopedia of Technology and Innovation Management

Chapter 39. Innovation at the National Level

Lois Peters,^[60] V. K. Narayanan,^[61] Gina C. O'Connor,^[62] and Mark Tribbitt^[63]

Innovation at the industry and firm levels of analysis is influenced—both facilitated and hindered—by developments taking place at the level of nation states. Inthis part of the book we will illustrate national-level influences through a series of case studies of a select set of nations. In the academic literature this level is typically captured by the concept of a national innovation system. Indeed, this literature emphasizes that national innovation systems are influenced by factors such as political philosophy, government support, and cultural factors. Accordingly, we have requested the contributors to this part of the book to follow a common structure as they describe the national innovation systems for each of their respective countries. The structure, provided in Table 39.1, is based on the broad themes that writers have found to influence innovation at the national level. We hope that readers will find the common structure easy to follow and that it aids readers in drawing comparisons across the cases.

To place the discussion of innovation at the national level, this introduction will unfold in two sections. First, we will discuss the notion of national innovation systems; and, second, we will provide a comparative summary of the featured case studies to enable thereader to place a specific country in its proper place.

National innovation systems

The ...