About the Book
In today's knowledge-driven world, innovation and innovation systems have become key policy issues. However, the extent of knowledge that is available on these concepts in less developed countries is still relatively low. Much of what we know about innovation theory and systems has come from the developed countries and reflects their world view. This apparent knowledge deficit has major implications for less developed countries.
Innovation Systems and Capabilities in Developing Regions adds to the growing body of knowledge on developing countries. The theoretical and empirical case studies presented here advance the notion that, while developing countries may not engage in frontier research, a critical knowledge base upon which these countries compete for global markets is emerging. There is evidence that state and non-state actors are increasingly emphasising policies that sit within the framework of national innovation systems. This book illuminates this shift in policy competence at national levels.
The contributions in this volume highlight the need for thorough understanding of the role of diffusion-based innovation linked to technology transfer and acquisition. They also provide empirical evidence on the drivers, dynamics and impact of such innovation in developing economies and the constraints that apply. Contributors also document the application of the innovation system approach in developing countries as well as the build-up and diffusion of technological capabilities within innovation systems.
Academics, higher level students, policy makers and practitioners involved with innovation and the economics of technical change, particularly in developing countries, will find this a valuable book.
Table of Contents:
Contents: Foreword; Innovation systems and capabilities in developing regions: concepts, issues and cases, Willie Siyanbola, Abiodun Egbetokun, Boladale Abiola Adebowale and Olumuyiwa Olamade; Part I Conceptual and Theoretical Contributions: Systems of innovation and capability: an institutional perspective, Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka; The contributions of quality infrastructure to national innovation systems: implications for development policy, Jorge Gonçalves and Jan Peuckert. Part II Innovation Systems Case Studies: Indian innovation system: an overview of some key features, Rajendra Prasad; Formation of emerging technological innovation systems in Iran: the nanotechnology sector, Mehdi Mohammadi, Hojatollah Hajihoseini and Mahdi Elyasi; Knowledge transfer and the biopharmaceutical innovation system in Taiwan, ShihHsin Chen, Ian Forbes and Paul Martin; Urban water innovation systems in newly industrialising countries: case studies of Brazil, China, India and South Africa, Jan Peuckert. Part III Innovation, Technological Learning and Capabilities: The complexity of innovation capabilities development: interaction between strategic capabilities: the case of Hylsa, Carlos E. Atoche-Kong; How firms develop technological capabilities through acquisition of foreign technology: case studies from Sri Lanka, Dilupa Nakandala, Tim Turpin and Terry Sloan; Technological discontinuity and industrial catch-up: a study on the Chinese flat panel display industry, Sungho Rho; Patent and innovation: how well are universities and research institutions in Botswana positioned?, Njoku Ola Ama. Part IV Learning and Interactions within Systems: Determinants of public research organizations-industry interactions in latecomer pharmaceutical research and development: an analysis of different phases of the innovation process in the case of Mexico, Fernando Santiago and Gabriela Dutrénit; Innovation and social capital in small and medium enterprises: the case of bamboo handicraft in Indonesia, Aloysius Gunadi Brata; Networking capabilities and innovation in a traditional small scale agro-industry: the ACOPANELA cooperative in El Salvador, Andrew Cummings and Eleonora Cogo; Learning innovation and technological performance in the Nigerian and Malaysian oil palm sector, Boladale Abiola Adebowale and Abiodun Egbetokun; Conclusions and implications for policy and practice, Willie Siyanbola, Abiodun Egbetokun, Boldale Abiola Adebowale and Olumuyiwa Olamade; Index.
About the Author :
Willie Siyanbola is the Director-General/CEO of Nigeria's National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM). He holds a PhD in solid state physics from the University of Sussex and received executive training at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is widely travelled and published. Abiodun Egbetokun is a Senior Research Officer in Technology, Innovation and Enterprise Studies at NACETEM and a doctoral student of innovation economics at the Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany. Boladale Adebowale is a Principal Research Officer NACETEM. Her PhD in technology and innovation management is from the University of Malaya. She has consulted for the World Bank, UNIDO etc on innovation and technological capabilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Olumuyiwa Olamade is a Chief Research Officer and the Director of a zonal office at NACETEM. He holds a PhD in technology management and has published several articles on the subjects of innovation and technological capabilities. Willie Siyanbola, Abiodun Egbetokun, Boladale Abiola Adebowale, Olumuyiwa Olamade, Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Jorge Goncalves, Jan Peuckert, Rajendra Prasad, Mehdi Mohammadi, Hojatollah Hajihoseini, Mahdi Elyasi, ShihHsin Chen, Ian Forbes, Paul Martin, Carlos E. Atoche-Kong, Dilupa Nakandala, Tim Turpin, Terry Sloan, Sungho Rho, Njoku Ola Ama, Fernando Santiago, Gabriela Dutrenit, Aloysius Gunadi Brata, Andrew Cummings, Eleonora Cogo.
Review :
'Developing countries need a much deeper understanding of the process through which technology flows towards them, the way it is acquired and mastered, and its impacts in their domestic economies. They also need to rethink, redesign and upgrade their key science, technology and innovation institutions with a view to improve their effectiveness and efficiency, incorporating best practices from both developed and developing countries. This book goes a long way in this direction, and is edited by some of the most promising scholars from Nigeria. The book is highly recommended.' Jorge Niosi, University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada 'Science, technology and engineering education and development are critical to transforming latecomer economies, often from primary commodity producing into knowledge based economies. For instance, the primary, mineral and agricultural based economy has proved to be a burden rather than a help to Africa. It is estimated that something like 268 billion dollars flows out of Africa, and hardly less than 30 billion comes to Africa. The economic structure that allows this gross outflow and inflow dynamics must be changed. It can be changed when works for capacity and competence building like this volume come out. I recommend highly this work that centres science, technology, engineering and innovation for economic development and transformation.' Mammo Muchie, SARChI Research Professor, IERI,Tshawne University of Technology, Pretoria, RSA
