The system of innovation in Greece: structural asymmetries and policy failure

Abstract

This paper attempts to shed light on the Greek innovation system which is characterised by a number of asymmetries that have been prevalent over time. This paper is structured as follows: Following a brief presentation of the analysis framework (Section 2), we examine the Greek innovation system and identify four important asymmetries prevalent in the system which affect its operation (Section 3). We then turn to the government technology and innovation policies adopted over the last 15 years to examine their apparent failure to address the low performance of the Greek innovation system in an effective way, pointing out weaknesses in the design and the implementation stages (Section 4). The last part (Section 5) attempts to bring the two elements together (innovation system versus policies) and outline some directions for future innovation policy that would better fit the characteristics of the country's innovation system, taking into account its asymmetries, strengths and weaknesses.