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‘The Forgotten Sector’: An Integrative Framework for Future Research on Low- and Medium-Technology Innovation

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  • Muhammad Nouman

    (Department of Management Sciences, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan)

  • Mohammad Sohail Yunis

    (Department of Management Sciences, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan)

  • Muhammad Atiq

    (Department of Management Sciences, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan)

  • Owais Mufti

    (Department of Management Sciences, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan)

  • Abdul Qadus

    (Department of Management Sciences, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Peshawar 25100, Pakistan)

Abstract

Despite apparent significance, innovation in low-technology (LT) and low-to-medium technology (LT/LMT) sectors has enticed relatively less consideration from scholars and policy-makers than high-technology (HT) sectors, thus, earning the label ‘the forgotten sector’. In this paper, we critically review the extant research on this forgotten sector, with the vital objective of proposing an integrated research framework from a diffuse literature base. We believe our findings can be utilized by innovation scholars to do more coherent research on the LT/LMT sector in the future. Our research presents important contributions and implications for scholars, business, and policy-makers as we propose a multi-level, integrated thematic framework that highlights the importance of LT/LMT sectors in innovation ecosystems (NIS) and offers avenues for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Nouman & Mohammad Sohail Yunis & Muhammad Atiq & Owais Mufti & Abdul Qadus, 2022. "‘The Forgotten Sector’: An Integrative Framework for Future Research on Low- and Medium-Technology Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3572-:d:774001
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