Extending the Innovation Paradigm: a Double ‘I’ Environment and Some Evidence from BRIC Countries

Abstract

The aim of this work is to introduce a possible double ‘I’ environment that deepens the importance of the linkages between innovation and internationalization (2I) as crucial drivers of economic growth. In this specific case, we aim to provide possible research scenarios that take into account the international dynamics of a national system of innovation. In a world where more and more innovation is developed outside the boundaries of a company (or a research lab) and where open innovation is the new paradigm, we suppose that the geographical borders of a nation should bound no model at all. Provided the difficulties already explored in the literature in measuring innovation and the complexity of analysing a phenomenon like the open innovation, a quadruple helix model could be a suitable representation. Adding the ‘civil society’ as fourth dimension is a necessary step in order to have all the actors of the open innovation paradigm in place. Furthermore, we suppose that the international perspective will influence three helices in a positive way, provided the necessary support by the government helix. Finally, we will investigate possible relation between the level of internationalization of a country and its effort in research and development (R&D), as a first empirical step into the idea of a double I environment. Yet, further and deeper studies are needed to understand the nature of relations and interdependency of these variables, and we have to take particularly into account how different variables definition affects work construction validity.