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Do winners pick government? How scale-up experience shapes entrepreneurs’ assessments of innovation policy mixes

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  • Steven Denney
  • Travis Southin
  • David A Wolfe

Abstract

How do entrepreneurs of high-growth firms in small, open economies evaluate innovation policy mixes? In response to market consolidation by large firms, governments in such countries are using a mix of innovation policy tools to support firms with high-growth potential in digitally intensive sectors. Government objectives, however, are not being realized. Bringing actor-centric perspectives to the policy mix literature, we analyze interviews with entrepreneurs from Canadian technology firms to determine whether there is a disconnect between the objectives and instruments employed by the government. With distinct policy preferences rooted in their growth experiences specific to the country’s political economy, we find that scale-up entrepreneurs prefer a more active role of the government in the form of demand-side, direct, and targeted innovation instruments. The findings presented in this article provide a more nuanced understanding of the innovation policy landscape and the preferences of technology scale-up firms

Suggested Citation

  • Steven Denney & Travis Southin & David A Wolfe, 2023. "Do winners pick government? How scale-up experience shapes entrepreneurs’ assessments of innovation policy mixes," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 50(5), pages 858-870.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:50:y:2023:i:5:p:858-870.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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