Economics, business and society in Greece: towards a national innovation system

This article presents, examines and appraises the social, historical, economic and political realities of Greece from the mid-19th century to delineate and define those important turning points and features that have operated in placing the country between developing and developed nations. The article focuses on the specific characteristics of Greece relevant to the concept of systems of innovation. A continuous succession of educational reforms amidst a politically unstable environment, lack of emphasis on the need for technical and professional education and an overemphasised classical education, lack of R&D investments and applied science research, belated, problematic and limited introduction of industrial production along with ever decreasing agricultural production, the expansion of the tertiary sector and the negative trade balance led to Greece's failure to industrialise and create a national innovation system.