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Identifying mechanisms influencing the emergence and success of innovation within national economies: a realist approach

Author

Listed:
  • Paul Jackson

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • Jochen Runde

    (University of Cambridge)

  • Philip Dobson

    (Edith Cowan University)

  • Nancy Richter

    (Alexander von Humboldt-Institut für Internet und Gesellschaft)

Abstract

This paper uses data from recent OECD (OECD Science, technology and industry scoreboard. OECD Publishing, Paris, 2013b) and Cornell University et al. (The global innovation index 2014. World Intellectual Property Organization, Fontainebleau, 2014) national innovation reports to explain Australia’s poor innovation performance. We adopt a realist approach and apply the technique of retroduction to identify potential causes. While our account is only preliminary, we contend that this technique provides the resources to uncover plausible causes for further, more detailed, causal analysis. We conclude that the retroductive method is one that can be applied to aggregated statistics more generally and could be used by analysts and policy makers in any jurisdiction.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Jackson & Jochen Runde & Philip Dobson & Nancy Richter, 2016. "Identifying mechanisms influencing the emergence and success of innovation within national economies: a realist approach," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 49(3), pages 233-256, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:policy:v:49:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s11077-015-9237-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11077-015-9237-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Thanos Fragkandreas, 2023. "Case study research on innovation systems: paradox, dialectical analysis and resolution," Working Papers 65, Birkbeck Centre for Innovation Management Research, revised 15 May 2023.
    2. Philip McCann & Raquel Ortega-Argilés, 2022. "Regional Innovation, Industrial Policy and UK Interregional Challenges," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 243(4), pages 83-100, December.

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