It is widely accepted that innovation is key to economic growth. Countries where research and innovation are high on the national agenda are best suited to prosper in the knowledge-based economy. Conversely, countries whose economies are mainly dependent on natural resources and basic industries tend to lack competitiveness and flexibility in adapting to changing global trends. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has long been concerned with the measurement of research and experimental development (R&D) and innovation activities. Under apartheid rule South Africa was barred from participating in OECD activities. Shortly after the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994 the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (now the Department of Science and Technology) initiated the process of applying for observer status on the OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy. South Africa gained observer status in 1998. In March 2001, the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and the OECD jointly hosted an international seminar in Pretoria on the measurement of innovation activities in OECD and non-OECD countries. This book is a collection of selected papers that were presented at the seminar by leading international and South African experts in innovation measurement. The chapters reflect various aspects of the measurement of innovation and how these measurements are applied in different countries. The volume contributes to the debate that exists between developing and developed countries on their approaches to the measurement of innovation.
Theoretical foundation of innovation surveys: The conceptual fluidity of national innovation systems - Implications for innovation measures; innovation systems in emerging and developing economies; developing the linkage between policy and innovation measurement. Counting the seeds of innovation -the assessment of technological creativity; mapping and measuring - a holistic approach to auditing innovation. macroeconomic measures for the return on investment in innovation. Approaches to measuring innovation in regions and countries; innovation surveys - lessons from the experiences of OECD countries; using the Oslo methodology to measure innovation - the community innovation survey approach; closing the gaps in systems of innovation research - how to improve the measurement of innovation finance by the community innovation surveys; an overview of Latin American innovation surveys; the Bogota manual - standardising innovation indicators for Latin America and the Caribbean; innovation indicators within sub-Saharan Africa - a specific case for Tanzania; innovation surveys in Central and Eastern Europe - results and policy issues; South Africa's first survey of innovation in the manufacturing sector and recommendations for the next survey; research design for the South African innovation survey 2001; estimating disparities, complementarities and gaps between regions and countries - the case of China and its provinces in 1993. Approaches to measuring innovation in sectors: Key drivers in technologically excellent organizations - a suite of indicators, trends and interpretations; understanding technology and economic development in South African industry: The case of the plastics sector; attempts to survey innovation in the Hungarian service sector
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