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Learning from Global Pacesetters to Build the Country Innovation Ecosystem

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Abstract

Countries with advanced innovation systems are consolidating and optimizing their National Innovation Ecosystem (NIE) frameworks. In contrast, emerging economies are formulating their own NIE frameworks in order to capitalize and build on the nation’s advantages to create self-sustaining innovation capabilities to compete internationally. The challenge is not to copy the best performers but to define their own original innovation policy, taking into account specific strengths, weaknesses, priorities, and cultural and institutional traditions. This paper presents detailed study cases for the following three countries with high level of innovation: Finland, South Korea, and Singapore. It summarizes each country’s experiences and key findings. The paper concludes with a set of pillars to be taken into consideration when designing NIE or revising an existing one to encompass the realm of activities needed for a country to reach its goals.

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Correspondence to Mohammad S. Khorsheed.

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Professor Mohammad Khorsheed is the former GE Innovation Officer in Saudi Arabia and the Secretary General of the Steering Committee for Saudi Innovation Ecosystem

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Khorsheed, M.S. Learning from Global Pacesetters to Build the Country Innovation Ecosystem. J Knowl Econ 8, 177–196 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-016-0362-z

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