From theory to practice: the use of systems of innovation approach in innovation policy

The main objective of this chapter is to discuss the implications of the adoption of the Systems of Innovation (SI) Approach in innovation policymaking. One of the main criticisms of the SI approach is the difficulty in translating it into real policymaking. This paper proposes a way of dealing with this complex problem. By breaking down the operation of the SI into ‘activities,’ the role of the government and the interplay between private and public actors can be discussed, and specific recommendations on how and when public actors should intervene can be made. The authors propose ten activities that capture the operation of an innovation system. The role of the public sector in each activity is then discussed, and a new research agenda is proposed.