Science and innovation dynamics and policy in Scotland: The perceived impact of enhanced autonomy

  • Michele Mastroeni*
  • , Omid Omidvar
  • , Alessandro Rosiello
  • , Joyce Tait
  • , David Wield
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Scottish referendum of 2014 encouraged massive public debate, including on Scotland’s scientific performance and ability to harness innovation and increase global competitiveness. The science base in Scotland has traditionally been strong but has not translated well into innovation. This article uses statistical data, over 30 interviews and two workshops with business and policy leaders, to analyse key scientific and industrial innovation dynamics, using a regional innovation systems (RIS) approach. It investigates the perceived impact of increased autonomy on the dynamics of the Scottish innovation system (SIS). The article shows the weak relationship between science and innovation, and evidences the static nature of Scottish innovation policy geared to bridging a gap rather than improving the dynamics of the various elements in the innovation system. It suggests that an approach which aims to spur evolution in specific elements of the territorial governance system would strengthen Scottish innovation capabilities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-24
Number of pages22
JournalInternational Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Funding

The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the ESRC Future of Scotland and the United Kingdom for funding to the ESRC Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics (INNOGEN) (grant number RES-145-28-0002) for two projects: ?Independence and innovation policy in Scotland: what impact on the Scottish innovation system?' and ?Science and industrial dynamics and the Scottish independence debate?, and also would like to thank the interviewees and workshop attendees for their time. A series of working papers and policy briefings are available at www.innogen.ac.uk.

Keywords

  • Governance
  • Increased autonomy
  • Innovation capabilities
  • Innovation dynamics
  • Science
  • Scotland

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