TECHNOVATION
Special Issue on
"National Innovation Systems and Social Entrepreneurship"
We are very pleased to announce a Special Issue on "National Innovation Systems and Social Entrepreneurship". We aim to stimulate theory and understanding about national innovation systems and how these institutions can solve socio-economic problems endemic to the developing world. We provide some sample topics for you to review in the topic section below, but please do not limit yourself to the listed topics.
Increasing integration of East and West via boundary-crossing interactions aided by information and communication technologies has enabled developing economies to participate in world markets. However, the benefits of globalization have yet to reach the rural poor who lack access to education, healthcare, water, sanitation and employment opportunities. Most national systems in developing economies were established to promote modernization via the adoption of new technologies in strategic industries. Thus, the focus in industrialized countries was chiefly on large-scale industrial technologies that could be scaled efficiently with innovation largely conducted within the firm. This model was diffused to developing countries.
Moreover, national systems of innovation that were deliberately constructed beginning in the 1970s in economies like Brazil, Korea, India and China, had focused on replicating models. These models were borrowed from industrialized countries and emphasized large organizations in strategic industries. However, from the mid-1990s, the development of a new information infrastructure enabled participation by leading players of the developing world. But, larger problems of inclusion and access continued to exist. In the current context of high growth, rising aspirations and lagging rural regions, the promise of information technologies can be leveraged to adapt national innovation systems for the developing world.
We invite papers for a special issue on "National Innovation Systems and Social Entrepreneurship". Sample topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
- What are the ways we can provide clarity on the concept of social entrepreneurship?
- To what extent are national innovation systems ready for solving problems at the base of the pyramid? What are the current strengths and weaknesses of national systems in this regard?
- What innovative technologies and entrepreneurial models would enable rural populations to gain access to affordable education, healthcare and sanitation?
- How can existing innovation systems support social entrepreneurship? How should these systems be altered to facilitate access and distribution of services and products to outlying and rural populations?
- How should innovation systems be modified to enable rural populations to build capabilities and participate in markets?
- What kinds of support would new venture incubation in rural areas require? What systems exist to support such ventures? How should these systems be altered to promote entrepreneurship in these areas?
- What technologies can we take advantage of to promote agglomeration via social entrepreneurship in rural regions?
- What are the human capital implications of operating in a borderless world for national innovation systems? How should these be accommodated by national innovation policy?
- How have public-private partnerships addressed these challenges? Are they a useful mechanism for solving socio-economic problems in developing economies?
- What kinds of performance metrics should national innovation systems seek to incorporate to promote social entrepreneurship?
We are interested in a wide range of papers including quantitative, qualitative and case-based research. We welcome a variety of approaches to research that can direct us to innovative solutions. Abstract submissions are due to the editors on April 25th, 2011. A special session(s) of papers will occur at the High Tech Small Firms Conference at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. Papers presented at this conference will be provided feedback to assist in preparing the papers for the special issue. However, participation in the conference is not required for consideration in the special issue. Additional information on scope and style requirements is available at:
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/422925/authorinstructions
Key Dates:
April 25th, 2012 Abstract Submission
May 25th, 2012 Submission of full papers for High Tech Small Firms Conference
http://www.utwente.nl/mb/nikos/events/htsf/2010/
Presentation and workshop (end of May/beginning of June)
Anticipated date of publication Mid-2013
Submissions can be made to any of the special issue editors below: