This paper is intended to provide policymakers with an overview of how technology and knowledge flow at the regional and global levels. After presenting the economic role of knowledge as well as a number of basic concepts related to its dissemination, this paper identifies certain pre-requisites for successful knowledge transfer. It subsequently discusses various channels for transfer and diffusion, including integration by firms in global value chains, participation by public and private actors in knowledge networks, and the movement of skilled individuals among institutions and across geographic regions. Throughout, the paper highlights the gradual nature of knowledge diffusion, as well as the role of collaboration in the generation, dissemination, and adaptation of innovative solutions. Finally, the paper identifies the types of policy environments that may best attract and accelerate knowledge flows, suggesting certain actions that policymakers can take to improve their region’s innovative capacity.

The Dynamics of Global Technology and Knowledge Flows

Background Planning a comprehensive program addressing neonatal mortality will require a detailed situational analysis of available neonatal-specific health infrastructure. Methods We identified facilities providing essential and sick neonatal care (ENC, SNC) by a snowballing technique in Ballabgarh Block. These were assessed for infrastructure, human resource and equipment along with self-rated competency of the staff and compared with facility-based or population-based norms. Results A total of 35 facilities providing ENC and 10 facilities for SNC were identified. ENC services were largely in the public-sector domain (68.5% of births) and were well distributed in the block. SNC burden was largely being borne by the private sector (66% of admissions), which was urban-based. The private sector and nurses reported lower competency especially for SNC. Only 53.9% of government facilities and 17.5% of private facilities had a fully equipped newborn care corner. Conclusions Serious efforts to reduce neonatal mortality would require major capacity strengthening of the health system, including that of the private sector.

Reduction of Neonatal Mortality Requires Strengthening of the Health System: A Situational Analysis of Neonatal Care Services in Ballabgarh.

Made in India: Business Models for Affordable Healthcare

Technological advancement is instrumental to enhancing productivity, generating economic growth, and improving peoples’ lives. “Technology diffusion” is the dynamic process by which new solutions are developed and deployed, adapted, and improved upon. Among the many approaches to stimulating technological innovation and diffusion, the most effective integrate knowledge held by different actors with complementary expertise. Partnership is a powerful driver of innovation and can help to ensure that new solutions effectively address user needs, thus enhancing the sustainability of technology deployment. In light of this, commercial models for technology innovation and diffusion increasingly involve collaborative, “open” innovation. Commercial approaches to technology diffusion are most effective when an enabling policy environment is in place. This paper reviews enabling policies and other factors that support partnership, innovation, and global technology diffusion involving commercial entities. The analysis is based on presentations at the 2014 EPFL-UNESCO Conference on Technologies for Development (2014 Tech4Dev) by four experts on commercial approaches to technology diffusion.

Commercial Channels for Sustainable Technology Deployment in Developing Countries

The much vaunted fortune at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) has proven hard to reach. This is because realizing the opportunities provided by the BoP market faces several challenges, ranging from affordability to a lack of human and physical infrastructure. This paper argues that overcoming these challenges to achieve “frugal innovation” requires design strategies which deploy new technologies and organizational approaches. To substantiate its argument, the paper presents case studies of four firms and their innovations in the health care domain. All the cases are from India, which has emerged an ideal location for developing products and services for the BoP market. India not only has the skills to propose new technological solutions, but also a market characterized by socioeconomic diversity to demand various organizational approaches. Two cases focus on diagnostic devices and products: one is a portable ophthalmic imaging device to reduce preventable blindness, while the other is a baby warmer to lower infant mortality by preventing hypothermia. The other two cases focus on health care delivery: one relies on telemedicine while the other relies on mobile telephony to provide access for hard-to-reach populations. All four cases describe the circumstances surrounding the design, development, and deployment of the products and services. The paper will point to the challenges the firms faced, even as they successfully designed for the BoP context. For diagnostic devices, the challenge of positioning a new offering in the diagnostic devices ecosystem, especially in terms of quality and cost, figures prominently. For service delivery, the challenge is to negotiate and manage the balance between the technological and human elements in servicing those needing care. Each case provides insight into the factors responsible for the sustainable deployment of these innovations, thus enabling a degree of extrapolation of lessons.

Niveditha Menon

Papers

Innovating for the Bottom of the Pyramid: Case Studies in Healthcare from India