Innovation linkages in societies with a high power distance

Abstract

Innovation linkages are one of the important conditions for innovative development of the country. A confirmation of this is the calculation methodology of the Global Innovation Index, which takes them into account. The article explores the problem of innovation linkages formation in societies with a high power distance, which are characterised in tolerance for so cial inequality. The methodological basis of the study embraces the concept of stakeholders and the theory of inter-organizational networks in combination with the approach of cross-cultural research of power relations. To describe the structure and influence of power distribution on in novator’s behaviour the researcher uses the method of classification of innovation linkages’ par ticipants into actors and actants. To identify societies with a high power distance and which are relatively successful in innovative development the author draws on the comparative analysis of countries. Using the cases of some of them (China, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates) the author shows the mechanisms of formation and development of innovation linkages: 1) exclu sive (or external) development through the use of foreign innovation infrastructure; 2) informal linkages based on the values of humanism and paternalism; and 3) co-optation of institutional centers of responsibility for change. The study may be of interest both to enterprises for develop ing strategies to promote their innovative solutions, and to government agencies that solve the problem of weak innovation linkages.