Beyond R&D STPs as Drivers of New Innovation Concepts in Emerging Economies

Developed countries have developed innovation systems that implement a multi-helix structure integrating public and private sectors with academia, often via meso-level institutions that implement and administer government-sponsored R&D programmes to foster technology transfer to industry. As these countries have enough mass in research and development the issues have been more in achieving high efficiency. \n\nEmerging economies on the other hand typically lack critical mass in research, development, skilled technical staff and funding. Trying to copy R&D programmes similar to those in developed countries might not work simply because there is a lack of relevant research, with few results that can be transferred. The private sector on the other side is struggling to even acquire and utilize existing technologies and machines and might have little capacity and also need to develop their own technologies with support from academia. What has to be done to create functioning innovation systems in these countries? \n\nWe argue that the emphasis has to be on people rather than infrastructure to develop an innovation community that can carry an innovation system and includes non-technical aspects of innovation. Specifically, we focus on three aspects in building innovation systems using Namibia as an example: First we investigate the demand by private companies and other organization for innovation what are their real needs and in which areas? Secondly, we discuss approaches to meet these innovation needs and how they compare to the model described above. Thirdly, we examine the role of STPs and how they could evolve in a broader innovation system.