Innovation's much more than just R&D the
"Firms collaborate with each other, as do scientists," says Andrew Wyckoff, co-author of'Developing policies for 21st century innovation' along with Gernot Huschenreiter.
They pointed out the greatly increasing quantity of international co-authorship among scientists,also noting, "have a look at You Tube too, a lot of that's about sharing of information andknowledge."
In a powerpoint presentation, the two showed how the global financial crisis has seen countries,almost without exception, throw more money at innovation (stimulus packages as they called themthough). All countries, not just New Zealand, are searching for new sources of growth. (Seepowerpoint here at MSI site)
They also feel that 'innovation' is a slogan that's in danger of becoming devoid of meaning.
But, moving on, they provided the following policy implications for a more collaborative mode ofinnovation.
•Erect bridges between the different parts, forming or joining a network - not necessarilymore or new hard infrastructure
•Building networks through labour mobility
•Use ofICT to build networks, informatics as a multidisciplinary field and public depositories ofinformation as a platform for innovation
•Developing knowledge networks and markets
The policy implications of global networks of innovation are:
•Build absorptive capacity: skills, institutions, access to networks
•Importance ofservices as a means of capturing value locally and gaining access to lead-users
•Universities are an essential node in innovation systems that can be the glue between actors,a local anchor into global networks and a magnet for global talent
•Building on existingstrengths for dynamic comparative advantage through innovation
Policy implications for innovation as a key determinant of growth are:
•"Now, more than ever": continue to support long-term investments in innovation (basicR&D):
oNot an "on/off"incremental investment, but accumulative
oCutting spendingcould limit growth and the ability to address global challenges
•Not all policies requirelarge public investment
oReform and streamline existing policies; remove barriers
oUsedemand-side measures (procurement, standards)
oInject innovation into the public sector(e-Gov)
•Better understand the broader role of innovation and its impact on economicgrowth
Which brings us to the implications for New Zealand