Comparison of innovation policies in selected European, Asian and ...

Stakeholder involvement in policy
Stakeholder involvement occurs when there is a reasonable mix of top-down and bottom-up
decision-making where policy makers, research providers and end-users work together to
decide on priorities for research. Stakeholder involvement in policy occurs well in those
countries with active involvement and collaboration of social partners as a key structural
characteristic of the policy process e.g., the Nordic model. Apart from such an explicit
recognition of stakeholder involvement the information is not sufficiently detailed to provide
a useful discussion and only a score of five is presented here. On this dimension, three of the
four European Innovation Leaders have a score of five.
Score 5 – Denmark, Switzerland, Japan, Norway, Finland.
Business involvement in policy
Business involvement in policy occurs when there are formal arrangements in place for
public-private partnerships.
Score 5 – Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Korea.
In the case of Denmark, for example, the GTS framework of business collaboration is an
integral part of the national innovation system. There is active involvement and collaboration
of social partners is a key structural characteristic of the policy process (e.g., the Nordic
model). Only a score 5 is presented here. Apart from such an explicit recognition of policy
mechanisms for business participation the information is not detailed to provide a useful
discussion. On this dimension, three of the four European Innovation Leaders have a score of
five.
Mobilisation of actors
Mobilisation of actors refers to the level of support from influential people and institutions
who can facilitate innovation policy formation and implementation by building confidence in
its value for society. These include high-level politicians, industry champions, entrepreneurs,
and research leaders. Many nations exemplify this practice.
Score 5 – Denmark, Norway, Finland, Korea, NZ post-chg, Iceland, Japan, Estonia, Portugal,
Ireland, NZ pre-chg, Australia.
National vision for innovation and strategic approach
National vision for innovation and strategic approach refers to how well a nation articulates
and actions its vision for innovation. This includes identifying the challenges to innovation it
faces, and then developing an appropriate response to these challenges. Many countries have
policies supportive of innovation and yet fall short of having an adequate set of arrangements.
These shortcomings often result from poor evaluation processes and from emphasis on the
linear approach of innovation, as can be seen in Sweden. The OECD Review 2007 for New
Zealand identified a number of areas for improvements needed, particularly around improving
evaluation processes and increasing involvement of wider stakeholders in decision-making.
Score 5 – Denmark, Norway, Finland, Korea, Japan, Czech Republic.
These countries have established a systematic and dynamic innovation policy support system
that is intended to be an adequate answer to emerging challenges.
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