Heterogeneity is the rule, not the exception? A tentative typology of national innovation systems

Abstract

The inquiry departs from the idea that heterogeneity is the rule, not the exception, regarding the National Innovation Systems (NIS) worldwide. The paper’s main goal is to advance understanding with empirical-based knowledge on how this uneven pattern occurs by formulating an original typology of NIS that surpasses the continental boundaries analysis and, primarily, highlighs the strengths of few and weaknesses of most nations. Using the Global Innovation Index (GII), the paper employs descriptive analysis, bivariate correlation, and variance analysis, followed by clustering. The cluster analysis created five types of NIS that displayed an even more accurate description of how innovative countries are, beyond the income or continent cohorts. This original and comprehensive approach to the NIS disparities is crucial to advancing in how few countries continue to improve their innovative performance. At the same time, most countries keep struggling to increase innovation capacity to overcome their economic underdevelopment issues.