Arab regional systems of innovation: characteristics and implications

Economic Systems of Innovation in the Arab Region, 2016

This paper employs both the descriptive and comparative approaches and uses the definition of systems of innovation used in the literature to examine the existence, characteristics and implications of the regional systems of innovation in the Arab region. We examine three hypotheses, that the regional systems of innovation exist but are characterized by serious weaknesses in the Arab region compared with other world regions, that the structure of the economy has a significant effect in the performance of innovation systems in the Arab region, and that the poor Arab systems of innovation have serious implications in the Arab region. We explain two common characteristics of Arab regional systems of innovation concerning poor subsystems of education, S&T, R&D and ICT institutions in the Arab region and concentration of R&D activities within public and universities sectors and small contribution of the private sector in R&D activities. We find that the major implications are the poor performance of the Arab region in terms of S&T indicators, competitiveness indicators, technology achievement index and poor integration in the knowledge economy index. Therefore, it is essential for the Arab region to enhance the institutions of higher education, S&T, R&D and ICT to build the Arab regional systems of innovation and to achieve economic development in the Arab region.

This paper employs both the descriptive and comparative approaches and uses the definition of systems of innovation used in the literature to examine the existence, characteristics and implications of the regional systems of innovation in the Arab region. We examine three hypotheses, that the regional systems of innovation exist but are characterized by serious weaknesses in the Arab region compared with other world regions, that the structure of the economy has a significant effect in the performance of innovation systems in the Arab region, and that the poor Arab systems of innovation have serious implications in the Arab region. We explain two common characteristics of Arab regional systems of innovation concerning poor subsystems of education, S&T, R&D and ICT institutions in the Arab region and concentration of R&D activities within public and universities sectors and small contribution of the private sector in R&D activities. We find that the major implications are the poor performance of the Arab region in terms of S&T indicators, competitiveness indicators, technology achievement index and poor integration in the knowledge economy index. Therefore, it is essential for the Arab region to enhance the institutions of higher education, S&T, R&D and ICT to build the Arab regional systems of innovation and to achieve economic development in the Arab region. .

Arab countries are entering a new phase of economic development with an emphasis on the crucial role of innovation and technology in promoting sustainable development, and close the gaps with the rest of the world as quickly as possible. Technological capabilities and innovation have always been a fundamental component of economic growth and welfare. The word of innovation uses a lot to describe something new, amazing or unique, even we talk about superior ideas or arts, without distinction between these things especially from it's nature, in the fact not every thing new or amazing is called innovation that can make the abilities of industrial firms and whole economy become more strong. The term of innovation was used for the first time by Schumpeter, he was among the first authors to stress the important role of innovation in his book "The Theory of Economic Development" (1934). There, he not only described economic development as the disruption of the regular circular flow caused by the introduction of novelties, but he also dedicated a large part of his presentation to the description of the entrepreneur as the economic actor who kicks off economic development (Hanusch and Pyka, 2006). This study could achieve some results, and suggest that despite some important achievements in the field of the study, there are still big challenges facing the Arab countries to make a high jump towards innovation and technology economies and better societies. To achieve the goals of the study, it's divided to an introduction and literature review, section 3 provides a summary of Socio-economic characteristics of GCC and Rest of Arab countries.

International journal of innovation and knowledge management in the Middle East and North Africa, 2016

Purpose: The Arab region has generally failed to catalyse and convert knowledge production into innovation effectively, and/or add value to products and services in the different economic sectors. Insufficient government commitment for science, technology and innovation (STI) and research, poorly designed national STI policies, and government that is ineffective in doing business are some of the factors causing these disparities. This paper identifies the main areas on which the Arab Countries should focus to allow innovation to take off towards a knowledge-based society in the region. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study adopts the comparative analysis approach to identify best practices and successful experiences from other regions of the world, and map the results to the particulars of the Arab region to identify discrepancies in public policy and institutional structures of the different national STI platforms in the region. Findings: The Arab countries face a host of hurdles, including a lack of focus in research priorities and strategies, little awareness of the importance of good scientific research, inadequate networking, limited collaborative efforts and brain drain, a disconnect between policymakers, scientists and society in generating, sharing and utilizing scientific knowledge, and, to a higher extent, insufficient funding and a lack of the required technical workforce. Lack of the technical 'critical mass' in specific/priority areas of research, and similarly in certain productive economic sectors, has greatly affected these sectors region-wide.

E/ESCWA/TDD/2017/Technical Paper.1, 2017

Research and policy recommendations for development have long focused on technology transfer, especially for the purpose of industrialization. At the turn of the century, the focus moved towards information and communication technology (ICT): making available the benefits of new technologies, especially ICT, was a clear target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, target 8F). Today, achieving a knowledge economy is a key objective for developing countries. Recently, innovation has become a principal aspect of development. Goal 9 of the 2030 Agenda on industry, innovation and infrastructure stipulates building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Consequently, innovation has become a core aspect of development, like infrastructure and industrialization. Research centres and international organizations have undertaken intensive activities to analyse the impact of innovation on countries’ production systems and its contribution to development, so as to derive policy recommendations, especially within the context of the 2030 Agenda.

The Dubai School of Government Working Paper Series is designed to disseminate ongoing research of potential interest to individuals and institutions interested in the development of public policy in the Arab world. Working papers are not formal publications of the Dubai School of Government. Circulation is designed to stimulate discussion and comment, often leading to further revision prior to formal publication. Findings and conclusions are solely those of the authors, and should not be attributed to the Dubai School of Government.

Diaspora

PURPOSE: The Arab region has generally failed to catalyse and convert knowledge production into innovation effectively, and/or add value to products and services in the different economic sectors. Insuf cient government commitment for science, technology and innovation (STI) and research, poorly designed national STI policies, and government that is ineffective in doing business are some of the factors causing these disparities. This paper identi es the main areas on which the Arab Countries should focus to allow innovation to take off towards a knowledge-based society in the region. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This study adopts the comparative analysis approach to identify best practices and successful experiences from other regions of the world, and map the results to the particulars of the Arab region to identify discrepancies in public policy and institutional structures of the different national STI platforms in the region. FINDINGS: The Arab countries face a host of hurdles, including a lack of focus in research priorities and strategies, little awareness of the importance of good scienti c research, inadequate networking, limited collaborative efforts and brain drain, a disconnect between policymakers, scientists and society in generating, sharing and utilizing scienti c knowledge, and, to a higher extent, insuf cient funding and a lack of the required technical workforce. Lack of the technical 'critical

The purpose of this paper is to enhance our understanding about the current state of R&D in the UAE and its challenges through an exploratory case study of a technological innovation. The innovation process of the Emirati entrepreneur is similar to processes in other parts of the world, but there is no access to government research centers or public research available. The findings suggest that support is needed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of technological innovation processes in the UAE.

Research Policy, 2020

Innovation policy is embedded in local contexts that shape its courses and outcomes. However, the role of context is often neglected in the design and implementation of innovation policies. Critical questions such as what innovation actually means, what kind of innovation policies may be bene cial in a given country and for speci c sectors, regions and actors, and what kinds of policies and programs can help promote innovation in a feasible and effective manner are rarely addressed. Focusing on Mediterranean Arab countries with their political and economic proximity to the EU, this article proposes three conceptual shifts towards a context-sensitive approach to innovation policy design and analysis. Drawing on insights from relational economic geography, interpretive policy analysis, and science and technology studies, the article discusses how these three shifts enable new perspectives on innovation policies in Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt. The article suggests a research agenda that can stimulate discussion and lead to a new approach in innovation studies and policy for Arab countries in the EU’s neighborhood.