Implications of Poor Systems of Innovation in the Arab Region

Abstract

This chapter uses relevant secondary data and the findings in chapters 4 and 5 to discuss the implications of poor systems of innovation in the Arab region. In addition to examining the characteristics and causes of poor national and regional systems of innovation in the Arab region from national and regional perspectives in chapters 4 and 5 , and before we provide recommendations for enhancing systems of innovation in the Arab region in chapter 7 , this chapter discusses the implications of poor systems of innovation in this region. This complements our analysis in chapters 4 and 5 on the causes of poor systems of innovation and provides in-depth analysis to examine the serious consequences and implications of poor systems of innovation in the Arab region according to certain criteria, mainly the classification of Arab countries according to economic structure. This chapter addresses the third question mentioned previously: what are the major implications of poor regional systems of innovation in the Arab region? This chapter also examines the fifth hypothesis, which argues that poor systems of innovation in the Arab region have serious implications in terms of poor S&T output indicators (patents, publications, share of high-technology exports), competitiveness, GCI, FDI, knowledge economy index (KEI), technology infrastructure, technology achievement index, global innovation index, innovation quality indicators, innovation efficiency ratio, ability to do business, and capacity of creation and absorption of knowledge in the Arab region. It also investigates the sixth hypothesis, which is that natural resources (the oil, mixed oil, and primary export economies)-based economies have experienced more serious implications as compared to the diversified economies in the Arab region.