Showing papers in "Innovation for development in 2017"
TL;DR: In this paper, a special issue on inclusive innovation in the bioeconomy is presented, which highlights the importance of food, water, and energy to economies that provide the vital resources of food and water.
Abstract: In this introduction to the special issue on inclusive innovation in the bioeconomy, the authors highlight inclusive innovation’s significance to economies that provide the vital resources of food, water, and energy. Innovation in the bioeconomy raises questions of environmental sustainability, human survival, social justice, and human rights. This article thus emphasizes, especially, the roles that institutions play regarding innovation in the bioeconomy. The authors suggest that inclusive innovation be defined as new ways of improving the lives of the most needy. They outline research implications of this definition, and relate these implications to debates about the modes and ethics of innovation. They argue that innovation systems’ design affects these systems’ potential for inclusiveness as well as their value premises. Finally, the contributions to this special issue are introduced and discussed in light of the special issue’s overall purpose and framework.
42 citations
TL;DR: The literature has competing models of social inclusion as discussed by the authors, its forms, causes and remedies, which depend on different normative assumptions about socioeconomic in/equity, corresponding to divergent theoretical camps of social justice: a liberal-individualist camp emphasizes a fairer distribution of societal benefits to individuals; more high-tech investment, skills training, cheaper products and/or more favourable external conditions will help low-income people to gain greater access.
Abstract: The concept ‘inclusive innovation’ has responded to an increasing realization that capital-intensive innovations have generally resulted in social exclusion, especially for lower income people. Towards alternatives, the literature has competing models of social inclusion – its forms, causes and remedies. These models depend on different normative assumptions about socio-economic in/equity, corresponding to divergent theoretical camps of social justice: a liberal-individualist camp emphasizes a fairer distribution of societal benefits to individuals; more high-tech investment, skills training, cheaper products and/or more favourable external conditions will help low-income people to gain greater access. By contrast, a social-collectivist camp seeks different conditions for reconstituting societal benefits through commons and public goods. Any initiative or policy framework entails such assumptions or tensions among them. Given these competing assumptions, their models can be made explicit for strat...
34 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the growth dynamics of some of these activities and the extent to which they can become a new "window of opportunity" in the growth process of different Latin American countries.
Abstract: Many Latin American countries currently exhibit a pattern of production specialization heavily biased toward resource-based commodities and foodstuffs. In natural resource based activities production is highly dependent upon environmental and ecological forces. Companies processing the resource strongly depend upon specilaized subcontractors and equipment producing firms catering for their demand for location specific machinery and process engineering know how Following a case study approach we examine here the growth dynamics of some of these activities and the extent to which they can become a new 'window of opportunity' in the growth process of different Latin American countries.
31 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that incorporating contextual, area-specific and conflict-sensitive guidance enhances the impact of socially responsible pro-peace innovations that also have deeper impact, and they propose a framework to foster more socially responsible innovation that also has deeper impact.
Abstract: How can we foster more socially responsible pro-peace innovations that also have deeper impact? In arguing that incorporating contextual, area-specific and conflict-sensitive guidance enhances the ...
30 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss ethical principles drawn from ideas about Triple Bottom Line (TBL) accounting, human rights, and the New Sussex Manifesto, and discuss implications that these ethical principles have for innovation systems design and for innovation policies.
Abstract: Innovation policies’ normative foundations have been little discussed in the academic literature, despite these foundations’ impact on the priorities and consequences of innovation. Especially, the aim of sustainable development calls for discussion about innovation’s normative foundations. This article discusses ethical principles drawn from ideas about Triple Bottom Line (TBL) accounting, human rights, and the New Sussex Manifesto. It discusses implications that these ethical principles have for innovation systems design and for innovation policies. Based on that discussion, the authors outline a principle of a human rights-based TBL in innovation. This principle implies that innovation systems, especially those involving vital resources, should look beyond science, technology, and competitiveness, and consider the needs and rights of those whose livelihoods depend on the resources in question. The article concludes with a set of general principles for the design of innovation systems in natural...
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss mining in the old industrialized nation of Sweden where mining is an important contributor to national competitiveness and argue that in order to understand the processes underlying the competitiveness of the mining sector, that is, mining sector in the context of a high-income nation, Sweden, it is important to dig deepe...
Abstract: In the political arena, natural resources activities – including mining – are generally viewed as low-tech and are not associated with the technological innovations that serve as the precursors of competition. In old industrialized nations, mining is limited to a few countries and mining-related activities are typically considered low-tech endeavours that rely on old and outdated technologies. In addition, mining districts are seen as lacking the prerequisites of economic development, such as an entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge formation mechanisms and diverse human capital formation. This paper discusses mining in the old industrialized nation of Sweden where mining is an important contributor to national competitiveness. Through a case study of two mines and the mining district, we argue that in order to understand the processes underlying the competitiveness of the natural resource-based sector, that is, mining sector in the context of a high-income nation, Sweden, it is important to dig deepe...
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyze how technological and institutional innovation strategies were deployed towards achieving a high-scale, sustainable, knowledge intensive, locally grounded project, through the experience of an Argentinean biotechnology-based nutritional supplement delivered in schools to solve child malnutrition led diseases.
Abstract: This paper analyses how technological and institutional innovation strategies were deployed towards achieving a high-scale, sustainable, knowledge intensive, locally grounded project, through the experience of an Argentinean biotechnology-based nutritional supplement delivered in schools to solve child malnutrition led diseases. The paper focuses on how the case of ‘Yogurito’ managed to address three challenges within recent Innovation for Inclusive Development literature: (1) involving heterogeneous actors in the innovation process within knowledge intensive technologies, (2) gaining scale while fostering participatory technology development processes, and (3) promoting the articulation of science, technology and innovation (STI) programmes with wider (social, sanitary and productive) policies. Through the trajectory of the probiotic yoghurt, the article examines learning and innovation strategies in technological design and institutional arrangements. We argue that the organizational strategies ...
17 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, development is studied by combining normative, theoretical-factual, prospective and propositional approaches, and sustainable human development is the normative basis, which connects values and propos...
Abstract: Development is studied by combining normative, theoretical-factual, prospective and propositional approaches. Sustainable Human Development is the normative basis. Agency connects values and propos...
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore how comparable knowledge organizations developed knowledge and how they help to understand differences in development and find that more knowledge was developed and accumulated in Norway than in Chile, indicating that there was a knowledge gap between the two countries.
Abstract: Chile and Norway are two ‘natural resource-intensive economies’, which have had different development trajectories, yet are closely similar in industrial structure and geophysical conditions. This paper seeks to contribute to the debate about how and why some economies based on natural resource activities have been more dynamic and innovative than others by indicating contributing factors of key differences in one natural resource sector both countries developed, namely mining. I explore how comparable knowledge organizations developed knowledge and how they help to understand differences in development. More knowledge was developed and accumulated in Norway than in Chile, which indicates that there was a knowledge gap between the two countries. Mining instructions were similar, but there were striking differences when it came to (1) number of graduates, (2) number of travel arrangements for practical learning and (3) organised geological mapping and ore surveys. These differences contribute to ex...
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse the interaction between the innovation pillar and the remaining 11 pillars and their sub-pillars comprising the competitiveness indicators, aiming to provide strategic guidelines to policy-makers who search for strategies to improve their country's innovativeness level.
Abstract: Innovation cannot be related only to some factors inherent in the environment of a country, nor is it a single entity to be managed without any linkages to the rest of the actors comprising the competitiveness of a country. World Economic Forum (WEF)’s competitiveness model consisting of 12 pillars and 19 sub-pillars is an attempt along these lines. By analysing the interaction between the Innovation pillar and the remaining 11 pillars and their sub-pillars comprising the competitiveness indicators, this paper aims to provide strategic guidelines to policy-makers who search for strategies to improve their country’s innovativeness level. For this purpose, WEF’s Global Competitiveness Index data for the period (2009-2012) is employed. The innovation performance of 148 countries is analysed using an integrated cluster analysis and a Bayesian Network (BN) framework. The use of BNs enables us to discover the probabilistic dependency structure of competitiveness indicators and its innovation performance...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlight the crucial insights about the usually ignored influence of power on these issues and argue that the combination of the two authors' analytical and normative frameworks makes them even more useful to a wider set of cases and countries.
Abstract: Some ideas and policy proposals on development and innovation, disseminated in the second decade of the 2000s, reintroduce obsolete visions, which isolate economic phenomena from their territorial, historical and socio-political contexts. Hence, there is a need to recuperate Freeman’s and Furtado’s systemic and contextualized contributions to the understanding of these processes. Besides exploring these and other convergences in their approaches, the paper highlights their crucial insights about the usually ignored influence of power on these issues. We reaffirm that the combination of the two authors’ analytical and normative frameworks makes them even more useful to a wider set of cases and countries. We also argue that this effort can provide a novel and proper ground for comparative analyses, helping to foster development and further refinement of different frameworks, strengthening their role as a tool to understand and orient the processes of development and innovation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the Anthropocene makes it necessary to sharpen the notion of sustainability in order to get a clearer picture of the most serious problems and for this reason they relate agriculture's source and sink problems to the concept of planetary boundaries.
Abstract: This paper is about the environmental impacts of modern agriculture on the background of the challenges for sustainable development raised by the Anthropocene. We argue that the Anthropocene makes it necessary to sharpen the notion of sustainability in order to get a clearer picture of the most serious problems and for this reason we relate agriculture’s source and sink problems to the notion of planetary boundaries. It is also important to develop an environmental ethic that relates to the Anthropocene. In order to discuss policy options, we take departure in the so-called IPAT (Environmental Impact = Population × Affluence × Technology) equation and address the issues of population growth, increased material well-being and technological change. We conclude that it is not lack of information, goals or instruments that prevent effective policies to be implemented. The reasons are rather structural and systemic.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a framework for the development of a University-coordinated Inclusive Innovation Platform (INIP), which is based on the innovation systems framework, the literature of engaged scholarship, innovation for inclusive development, and innovation platforms.
Abstract: A common question that prompts universities to reconsider their relationships and role in sustainable development in their immediate context is: How has the university over the years contributed to inclusive development of surrounding communities? Grounded in the innovation systems framework, the literature of engaged scholarship, innovation for inclusive development, and innovation platforms, the authors propose a framework for the development of a University-coordinated Inclusive Innovation Platform. The University of Fort Hare was used as a case study to reflect on what has been done and the processes and principles that have been followed during the coordination of the formation and functioning of such a platform. This paper is of interest to a wide audience as it may assist in supporting more proof-of-concept inclusive innovation projects and programmes to stimulate and support inclusive development in communities.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify how the self-discovery process of pioneers shapes the distinctive pathways through interacting with global, local and natural conditions using the adapted framework of functions of innovation systems.
Abstract: Diversification of exports plays a critical role in economic growth and development, especially for countries endowed with natural resources. Successful cases often take advantage of a so-called natural resource knowledge idiosyncrasy, a unique combination of factor endowments and technological capabilities in a given natural environment. While building capabilities is fundamental, identification and exploitation of ‘windows of opportunity’ in the global market is of particular importance in establishing successful export industries. By examining four cases of non-traditional agricultural export products – cut flowers (Colombia and Ecuador) and blueberries (Chile and Argentina) – this paper identifies how the ‘self-discovery’ process of pioneers shapes the distinctive pathways through interacting with global, local and natural conditions using the adapted framework of functions of innovation systems.
TL;DR: This paper reviewed the major developments over the past 20 years, highlighting the present state of the art and identifying some important trends going forwards in the field of innovation studies, through a review of the published themes of two major international conferences.
Abstract: The student of innovation studies is faced with a vast, multi-national and interdisciplinary field on which she must gain an overview and make a novel contribution. There exist a plethora of academic journals, networks, conferences and fora wherein researchers of innovation discuss and advance the topic. How to manage and understand this is a major challenge. This paper helps to make sense of this often confusing and ever-shifting field by reviewing the major developments over the past 20 years, highlighting the present ‘state of the art’ and identifying some important trends going forwards. It does this through a review of the published themes of two major international conferences in the field – Danish Research Unit for Industrial Dynamics (DRUID) and Global Network for the Economics of Learning, Innovation, and Competence Building Systems (GLOBELICS) – to gain a global view on the field. At the heart of the exploration is whether the sphere of innovation studies has evolved coherently worldwide...
TL;DR: The authors explored the characteristics of these interactions in order to open up a new empirical frontier, and also to reflect on the utility of innovation systems theory for understanding the borderline case of marginalization.
Abstract: Where do the notional boundaries of the concept of innovation lie, and what does this mean for the study of innovation in socially marginalized settings, where changes are localized, incremental, informal, and social? How can this help us understand new aspects of innovation and inclusive development? To explore these questions, we draw on an evidence base describing university interactions with highly marginalized communities in South Africa, Uganda, and Botswana. These universities have established interface structures through which participative knowledge-building has led to new processes and social structures that have helped communities to address their livelihoods challenges. At the same time, universities have benefitted from the interaction, gaining from the communities’ local knowledge. This paper explores the characteristics of these interactions in order to open up a new empirical frontier, and also to reflect on the utility of innovation systems theory for understanding borderline case...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors apply grounded innovation platforms (GRIPs) as a tool for inclusive innovation in relation to forest-based bioenergy in Norway and use cases studied in the Triple Bottom Line Outcomes for Bioenergy Development and Innovation in Rural Norway research project.
Abstract: In this paper, we apply grounded innovation platforms (GRIPs) as a tool for inclusive innovation in relation to forest-based bioenergy in Norway. We use cases studied in the Triple Bottom Line Outcomes for Bioenergy Development and Innovation in Rural Norway research project. We review the notion of GRIPs and classify them. We analyse forms of GRIPs and the hypothesis that forms of GRIP affect ‘triple bottom line’ outcomes of sustainable development. We relate our findings to the debates on inclusive innovation, which we argue is not simply an issue for ‘developing countries’. Development, being understood to be different from economic growth, is concerned with inclusion and exclusion, and, in a world of growing inequalities, is a universal issue everywhere.
TL;DR: In this article, three ways of facilitating inclusion through innovation in emerging and developing economies are derived analytically, and three ways to facilitate inclusion through such innovation are derived in the context of mobile banking.
Abstract: An innovation is defined to be inclusive if it is affordable and increases productivity. Three ways of facilitating inclusion through such innovation in emerging and developing economies are derived analytically. First, invest in inducing more technical change in products the less well-off use. Second, improve capital or skills available to them. Third, reduce their transaction costs. Both the second and the third increase market size for inclusive innovation, thus promoting it through markets. An example of the second is better public provision of relevant infrastructure and of the third is better regulatory design. Absence of such a focus in Indian telecom and mobile banking policy limited market size. Poor Internet infrastructure constrained development of mobile services. Higher transaction costs explain India’s slow start in mobile banking, compared to Pakistan.
TL;DR: In this article, a network of unique collaboration links that evolved between the Penang government and organizations, foreign multinationals and national firms helped forge strong flows of knowledge among integrated circuits (IC) firms in the sub-national region.
Abstract: Most accounts of successful technological catch up and the diffusion of foreign sources of knowledge have focused on the role of federal governments. Little is known of how successful sub-national government strategies have evolved to stimulate technological upgrading in particular locations. This paper shows how a network of unique collaboration links that evolved between the Penang government and organizations, foreign multinationals and national firms helped forge strong flows of knowledge among integrated circuits (IC) firms in the sub-national region. Although Penang’s and Kulim High Tech Park’s IC firms still lag technologically behind IC firms in Korea and Taiwan, the evolution of productive networking at the sub-national level has helped stimulate technological upgrading in the region.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored how sustainable innovation and the collaborative learning process can contribute to resilience in the Bolivian Highlands, as a response to shocks caused by climate change and market variability.
Abstract: This study explores how sustainable innovation and the collaborative learning process can contribute to resilience in the Bolivian Highlands, as a response to shocks caused by climate change and market variability. Specifically, we focus on the collective, localized, and embedded efforts of three rural communities. The communities under study participated in a mixed top down-bottom up collaborative learning system, which relied on indigenous knowledge, local institutions, and inclusive participation to promote innovation and inclusive development. We used a transaction cost approach based on semi-structured interviews of various stakeholders, and community observation to measure the benefits and costs of participating in the collaborative initiative. The main findings show a strong effect in (1) the reinforcement of a collaborative system as a means to promote grounded and inclusive innovation and (2) the reduction of transaction costs in production and commercialization for the participant produc...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that a balancing of institutional and commercial forces and favourable conditions for ongoing dialogue were conducive to significant growth while avoiding ecological disaster. And they also point out that the interplay of rivalling institutional, commercial and industry forces during three distinct phases of innovation and industry development ended up being a boon for the new industry.
Abstract: Mass-production of Atlantic salmon in Norway is considered a major industrial success by many observers, and Norwegian firms and technology play an important role in this industry globally. The practice originated in peripheral communities in Norway during the 1960s. Drawing on Schumpeterian and more recent innovation theory, salmon production is shown to be an innovation-in-the-making for several decades. Starting out as an inclusive innovation, salmon production soon became entangled with scientific research, but in a way that can be characterized as grassroots. The interplay of rivalling institutional and commercial forces during three distinct phases of innovation and industry development ended up being a boon for the new industry. Compared to similar developments in Canada and Chile, Norway’s particular experience is that a balancing of institutional and commercial forces and favourable conditions for ongoing dialogue were conducive to significant growth while avoiding ecological disaster.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the impact of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) on the transfer of clean technology in India, and they adopt an outcome-oriented approach.
Abstract: This study assesses the impact of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) on the transfer of clean technology in India. The reason this study is unique is because firstly, it adopts an outcome-orient...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse how key actors such as cooperatives can strengthen inclusive innovation and local development processes in aquaculture, and they ask the following question: How cooperative rationalities can operate.
Abstract: Through the second half of the twentieth century, within both developed and underdeveloped countries, several social movements sought to produce technological alternatives in order to encourage the development of environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive dynamics. In last two decades, different international agencies encouraged the development of pro-poor aquaculture projects among small rural producers, in order to reduce poverty. However, in many cases, they exhibit limitations in terms of infrastructure; deficient services; troubles to get supplies and financial sources; and poor organization. Solving these limitations represents a big technological and cognitive challenge, but the public policies implemented were inspired by mainstream models of innovation with poor results. This paper aims to analyse how these key actors, such as cooperatives, can strengthen inclusive innovation and local development processes. It asks the following question: How cooperative rationalities can operate...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors consider the cases of two countries, India and Russia, and investigate the occurrence and development of inclusive innovation in the socioeconomic, cultural, and historical context of these countries.
Abstract: This paper considers the cases of two countries, India and Russia, and investigates the occurrence and development of inclusive innovation in the socioeconomic, cultural, and historical context of these countries. Both had similar political regimes and began economic reforms simultaneously at the beginning of the 1990s that led to transformation of these regimes. Both countries are experiencing the problem of imbalanced development and increasing social and economic disparity in society. We examine the governmental and societal regimes that are inside the sociotechnical systems of these countries to define the spaces for inclusive innovation. The main purpose is to identify the factors and settings enabling inclusive innovation development at the level of society and public policy.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore how the conceptual elements of inclusive innovation theory can enhance similar approaches developed in the European context and propose a framework to analyse these factors and their effect on the innovation capacity of networks in sustainable agriculture.
Abstract: This paper explores how the conceptual elements of inclusive innovation theory can enhance similar approaches developed in the European context. In post-productivist, sustainable agriculture, bottom-up networks provide alternative sites of innovation to the official systems of knowledge creation, driving a focus on inclusive innovation. However, the origination and spread of inclusive innovation in sustainable agriculture depends on many social and economic factors. This article offers a framework to analyse these factors and their effect on the innovation capacity of networks in sustainable agriculture. We consider both internal and external dimensions of innovation, and also their interplay in a dynamic system. We describe the internal factors that shape the functioning of innovation networks in terms of organizational dynamism, while external factors are examined in terms of relational dynamism. We argue that reflexive adaptation to changing circumstances holds the key to successful innovation ...