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Regional systems of innovation in the Arab region

Author

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  • Nour, Samia Satti Osman Mohamed

    (Faculty of Economic and Social Studies, Khartoum University, and UNU-MERIT/MGSoG)

Abstract

This paper employs both the descriptive and comparative approaches and uses the definition of systems of innovation used in the literature to examine the existence, characteristics and implications of the regional systems of innovation in the Arab region. We examine three hypotheses, that the regional systems of innovation exist but are characterized by serious weaknesses in the Arab region compared with other world regions, that the structure of the economy has a significant effect in the performance of innovation systems in the Arab region, and that the poor Arab systems of innovation have serious implications in the Arab region. We explain two common characteristics of Arab regional systems of innovation concerning poor subsystems of education, S&T, R&D and ICT institutions in the Arab region and concentration of R&D activities within public and universities sectors and small contribution of the private sector in R&D activities. We find that the major implications are the poor performance of the Arab region in terms of S&T indicators, competitiveness indicators, technology achievement index and poor integration in the knowledge economy index. Therefore, it is essential for the Arab region to enhance the institutions of higher education, S&T, R&D and ICT to build the Arab regional systems of innovation and to achieve economic development in the Arab region.

Suggested Citation

  • Nour, Samia Satti Osman Mohamed, 2013. "Regional systems of innovation in the Arab region," MERIT Working Papers 2013-012, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2013012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samia Satti O. M. Nour, 2002. "ICT Opportunities and Challenges for Development in the Arab World," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2002-83, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Nour, Samia Satti O. M., 2005. "Science and Technology Development Indicators in the Arab Region: A Comparative Study of Gulf and Mediterranean Arab Countries," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 2005-03, United Nations University - INTECH.
    3. Doloreux, David & Parto, Saeed, 2005. "Regional innovation systems: Current discourse and unresolved issues," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 133-153.
    4. Borghans, Lex & Meijers, Huub & ter Weel, Bas, 2013. "The importance of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for measuring IQ," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 17-28.
    5. Bengt-Åke Lundvall & K. J. Joseph & Cristina Chaminade & Jan Vang (ed.), 2009. "Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12943.
    6. Rodrigo Arocena & Judith Sutz, 2000. "Looking At National Systems Of Innovation From The South," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 55-75.
    7. Bengt-åke Lundvall & Jan Vang & K.J. Joseph, 2009. "Innovation System Research and Developing Countries," Chapters, in: Bengt-Åke Lundvall & K. J. Joseph & Cristina Chaminade & Jan Vang (ed.), Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries, chapter 1, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    8. Rasiah, Rajah, 2002. "TRIPs and Capability Building in Developing Economies," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 2002-01, United Nations University - INTECH.
    9. Joan Muysken & Samia Nour, 2006. "Deficiencies in education and poor prospects for economic growth in the Gulf countries: The case of the UAE," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(6), pages 957-980.
    10. Padilla, Ramon & Vang, Jan & Chaminade, Cristina, 2008. "RIS and Developing Countries: Linking firm technological capabilities to regional systems of innovation," Papers in Innovation Studies 2008/13, Lund University, CIRCLE - Centre for Innovation Research.
    11. Kevin Morgan, 1997. "The Learning Region: Institutions, Innovation and Regional Renewal," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(5), pages 491-503.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nour, S., 2014. "Challenges and opportunities for transition to knowledge-based economy in Arab Gulf countries," MERIT Working Papers 2014-030, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    2. Nour, S., 2014. "Transition to a knowledge-based economy in Saudi Arabia," MERIT Working Papers 2014-029, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    3. Samia Nour, 2014. "Regional Systems of Innovation and Economic Structure in the Arab Region," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 5(3), pages 481-520, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education; S&T; R&D; Systems of innovation; economic structure; Arab region;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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