Innovation systems research: an agenda for developing countries

The continued relevance of the systems approach to the study of innovation, especially in developed countries, has been the subject of recent discourses. This paper argues that with respect to developing countries, discussions on innovation systems are yet to be exhausted. Against this background, the paper takes an objective look at the innovation systems approach and suggests an agenda for studying innovation systems in developing countries. The position of the paper is that modifications to the innovation systems approach present viable opportunities for understanding the innovation process in the developing world. Some concrete modifications, and their implications for future research, are proposed

Introduction. Democratizing Higher Education and Science in Latin America

This book discusses the conditions to build reliable science, technology and higher education systems in Latin America, based on international comparative studies, fieldwork and analysis conducted over the last few years. This introductory chapter suggests that science can have a major role in furthering the democratization of society through public policies that foster opportunities to access knowledge and the advanced training of human resources. Broadening the social basis for higher education promotes the qualification of the labor force and contributes decisively to social and economic development. The need to guarantee higher education diversity, strengthening scientific institutions and investing in a strong science base, is deemed as critical, but goes far beyond policies centered on innovation and industry-science relationships. It requires adequate training and attraction of skilled people, as well as promoting scientific and technological culture among society

Engagement Through Communication:Communicating Scientific Knowledge to SMEs

In this chapter, we work from the assumption that university engagement can be fostered by addressing the dissemination of scientific knowledge as a communication process, and we explore how university engagement can be encouraged through the communication of scientific knowledge to SMEs (small and mediumsized enterprises). First, a literature review allows for the identification of wellknown barriers to the dissemination of scientific knowledge to SMEs. Second, an empirical study of the ‘situation’ of eight Danish SMEs provides insights into their situation (circumstances, barriers and potentials) in relation to scientific knowledge, which must be taken into account in attempts to communicate scientific knowledge to SMEs. Based on this analysis, we discuss solutions and outline some communicative principles that can contribute with a solution-oriented perspective on how communicating scientific knowledge to SMEs can foster university engagement.</p

Smart University for Sustainable Governance in Smart Local Service Systems

From the Service Science perspective, our work tends to provide a conceptual and methodological contribution to affirm the role of the university as the responsible agent for the growth and development of a local area. In this sense, the purpose is to promote a harmonious growth of the whole local service system, focused on academic quality and accountability through the approach to Social Responsibility, also involving government, business and society. The University as a place for higher education and research, at the same time, represents a privileged space of convergence of different growth perspectives of the local actors. This convergence should be seen as a “place” to share and develop a common sense of value that is smart, ethically, socially, and economically sustainable, i.e. a Smart Local Service System (S-LSS)