2010年-世界发展银行全球_Innovation_Policy_for_the_Developing_World___Success_Stories_and_Promising_Approaches_4页_259kb

Innovation Policy for the Developing World Summary

Core Content

Innovation policy in the developing world is a crucial yet complex aspect of national development strategies. While technological innovation is often seen as a solution to development challenges, its implementation in low- and medium-income countries is not straightforward due to the diversity of these economies and their institutional and business environments.

Main Views

• Innovation is context-specific: It does not necessarily mean something entirely new, but rather something that is novel for a particular society. Examples include the use of mosquito nets for malaria prevention and mobile phones for trade and health services in poor countries.

• Innovation policy is not linear: It is not simply about moving from research to market or identifying needs and solving them. Instead, it is a holistic process, where governments should act as "gardeners" by creating an enabling environment for innovation to flourish.

• Government functions in innovation policy:

  • Providing incentives and facilities for innovation projects.
  • Removing obstacles such as bureaucracy, regulations, and monopolistic behaviors.
  • Enhancing the knowledge base through education and R&D.

• Innovation requires support structures:

  • Efficient agencies that can respond to the technical, financial, and commercial needs of innovators.
  • Decentralized technical "sounding boards" to assist entrepreneurs and innovators.
  • Large-scale technology programs that are well-designed and adapted to local needs.

• Pragmatism is essential:

  • Countries should leverage their comparative advantages, whether in natural resources, human capital, or market position.
  • Innovation policy should be gradual, starting with localized successes and building up to broader reforms.

• Institutional change is a slow process:

  • It typically takes 3–5 years for innovation projects to yield results, and 7–10 years for industries to show significant job creation or income growth.
  • Policy makers must demonstrate institutional creativity and build a critical mass of initiatives using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.

• Integration into broader strategies:

  • Innovation should be embedded in long-term development visions, such as China's "world's factory" or Malaysia's "information society world leader."
  • A government-wide approach with strong political leadership and coordination is necessary for success.

Key Information

• Innovation as gardening: Governments should create an environment that nurtures innovation, much like a gardener who waters, removes weeds, and fertilizes the soil.
• Role of legal frameworks: A robust legal environment is necessary to support innovation, including regulations on tariffs, standards, and intellectual property rights.
• Examples of success:
  • Chile: Foundation Chile helped develop the salmon and wine industries.
  • Rwanda: A World Bank project provided a package of interventions for pro-poor technology development.
  • Japan: Prefectural laboratories supported the growth of small businesses.
  • China: Started with localized reforms in coastal areas before scaling up.
  • Malaysia: Used a powerful monitoring body for its ICT policy.
  • Tunisia: Adopted a wide consultation process for its Five-Year plan.
• Need for international collaboration: Countries should seek support from recognized international bodies to enhance the credibility of their innovation policies.
• Innovation policy is not just about science: It involves a complex system including basic sciences, universities, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurs, all working together to ensure national security and productivity.

Conclusion

Innovation policy in the developing world must be pragmatic, integrated into broader development strategies, and supported by a strong institutional and legal framework. It requires a long-term vision, the creation of supportive environments, and the use of efficient mechanisms to foster sustainable growth and development.