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Breaking or making futures: How laws and regulations shape innovation in emerging innovation systems

Author

Listed:
  • Nebojša Stojčić

    (University of Dubrovnik
    University of Zagreb)

  • Nina Vujanović

    (Central Bank of Montenegro
    The World Bank Group)

  • Christopher F. Baum

    (Boston College, Morrisey College of Arts and Sciences)

Abstract

Regulatory and legislative frameworks are essential in fostering an environment conducive to innovation. In emerging innovation systems, market imperfections, along with power and information asymmetries, can create a disconnect between the design and implementation of regulations and the needs of innovative organizations. This paper explores how regulations and laws related to labor and environmental protection, product safety and consumer protection, intellectual property rights, and taxation impact innovation outcomes in seven emerging European innovation systems. Our findings indicate that restrictive regulations increase the likelihood of innovation abandonment and tend to encourage incremental rather than radical innovation. Companies often respond to these regulatory and legal barriers by engaging in collaborative innovation. Notably, these effects are observed primarily in older firms that have established their competitiveness in a production-oriented environment. The results highlight the importance of thoughtful policy design to enhance innovation dynamics in emerging innovation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Nebojša Stojčić & Nina Vujanović & Christopher F. Baum, 2025. "Breaking or making futures: How laws and regulations shape innovation in emerging innovation systems," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 19(6), pages 1743-1782, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:rvmgts:v:19:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1007_s11846-024-00806-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s11846-024-00806-5
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Regulation; Legislation; Innovation; Emerging innovation systems;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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