Comparative Innovation Policy:Best Practice for the 21^st Century

The global economy is characterized by increasing locational competition to attract the resources necessary to develop leading-edge technologies as drivers of regional and national growth. One means of facilitating such growth and improving national competitiveness is to improve the operation of the national innovation system. This involves national technology development and innovation programs designed to support research on new technologies, enhance the commercial return on national research, and facilitate the production of globally competitive products.

The Board on Science, Technology, and Economic Policy (STEP) is studying selected foreign innovation programs and comparing them with major U.S. programs. The analysis, carried out under the direction of an ad hoc Committee, includes a review of the goals, concept, structure, operation, funding levels, and evaluation of foreign programs similar to major U.S. programs, e.g., innovation awards, S&T parks, and consortia. The Committee is assessing foreign programs using a standard template, convening a series of meetings to gather data from responsible officials and program managers, and encouraging a systematic dissemination of information and analysis as a means of better understanding the transition of research into products and of improving the operation of U.S. programs.

For additional information, contact the study director, Charles W. Wessner at 202-334-3801 or cwesssner@nas.edu. To request report copies, contact David Dierksheide at 202-334-2306 or ddierksh@nas.edu.

Project Committee

Project Staff

Reports in this Series

Innovation Policies for the 21^st Century

India’s Changing Innovation System: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities for Cooperation