The Significant Aspects Related To the National Innovation Systems - Thesis Proposal Example

Running Head: Research Proposal Research Proposal [Institute’s Research Proposal Introduction Since few decades, the world has experienced rapid alterations, and globalization is one of the factors that caused rapid changes around the globe. In addition, this factor has allowed experts to identify, discuss, and analyze varying amount of challenges and confrontations in various parts of the world, especially in developing countries. In the result, experts are now carrying out researches to deal with problems, such as high rate of population, scarcity of water, global warming, illiteracy, etc that is playing a vital role in the creation of national policies of different countries. Besides globalization, technology is another major reason that has, and still contributing immensely in almost every sector of human lives, nowadays, every nation is endeavoring to enhance existing frameworks and facilities, as experts believe that inclusion of technology and innovation are some of the major tools that can allow a developing nation to stand among developed countries of the world. Such impact and significance of technology has resulted in the introduction of ‘National Innovation System’ that emphasizes on the relationship of different institutions and bodies, and considers it an essential step towards effective technological performance. In addition, knowledge and its distribution play a crucial and vital role in the concept of national innovation system that focuses on the production, distribution, and utilization of knowledge acquired from the abovementioned relationships of different actors in the process that are necessary and crucial for technical and Innovation progress of a nation. In the past, countries focused on technological progress but failed; however, recent studies indicated that besides such focus, it is very imperative to create a collective platform for all the actors to relate to each other that enhances production, as well as utilization process of knowledge. In other words, National Innovation System emphasizes on the creation of a knowledge-based society involving its different private and public components. In light of such an importance and significance of National Innovation System or NIS, the proposed research will be focusing on one of its noteworthy aspects. However, it is very imperative to identify and discuss some studies related to NIS that will facilitate in better recognition of an appropriate and efficient research statement. Literature Review In the year 1962, Machlup used the term ‘knowledge-based economy’ for the first time that later turned into the framework of NIS, and since then, a number of experts have shown their interest in this Innovation notion, and endeavored to explain its rationale, in order to relate its implementation in economic sector of a country. In this regard, both developed, as well as developing countries are now focusing on the developmental strategies of National Innovation System; however, despite its widespread significance, no definition has acquired unanimous acceptance of experts (Drucker, pp. 1-2, 1993). For instance, Smith (pp. 23-29, 2002) argued the basic existence of NIS or knowledge society, and considered it a catchphrase, rather than a reality. In addition, he argued that it is very imperative to define the basis and form of knowledge in knowledge society before understanding the notion and process of NIS. However, despite of such arguments, ‘Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’ along with different organizations, such as World Bank and APEC are endeavoring to provide guidelines to countries for the creation and implementation of National Innovation System, a necessity for technological progress (OECD, pp. 1-11, 2001). Moreover, in the year 1987, an expert attempted to define NIS that creation, distribution, alteration, and implementation of new technologies when carried out by activities and relationships of private and public sectors in a network, it is National Innovation System (Freeman, pp. 49-52, 1987). Subsequently, in the year 1992, Lundvall (pp. 19-22) defined NIS in a similar way of Freeman; however, included the terms of ‘economically useful knowledge’, and bounded the application of NIS in a nation state. In 1993, another expert (Nelson, pp. 50-54) deemed it a ‘set of institutions’ that is responsible for establishment of Innovation performance of firms nationally. Next year, some experts (Patel & Pavitt, pp. 1-4, 1994) specified while defining NIS that it is the responsibility of national institutions and their capabilities to guide the process of technological learning in a country. In 1995, similar definition came up with few additions, as Metcalfe claimed that although network of institutions contribute for technological development; however, he added that such development and progress results in the formation of governments and their policies that is essential for distribution of knowledge for future generations. In this regard, brief review of the literature indicated that various experts attempted to define National Innovation System and identified its different capabilities; however, analysis noted that three factors dominate in abovementioned studies that have caused increased importance of NIS. First, most of the experts accepted the implementation of knowledge in economic systems, and thus, increased the importance of NIS. Secondly, the NIS is a practical approach that allows production, distribution, and application of knowledge in existing systems of countries that is another major factor for such a significance of NIS. Thirdly, due to advancement in technology, every institution or actor working in a state is somehow involved in the process of creating knowledge that has increased the importance of National Innovation Systems. In this regard, literature review indicated major focus on the flow of knowledge while studying different materials on NIS. In the year 1996, OECD specified that it is essential to produce, distribute, and utilize knowledge in economies to direct performance towards an optimistic track. Thus, it is an observation that recent economic policies are influential outcomes of National Innovation Systems, and thus, this of flow is playing a vital role in development of various countries, as high-tech industries are getting involved in creation of knowledge-based system to acquire and bring every actor of the NIS under an umbrella to utilize the information efficiently. A major example of such involvement and impact of NIS is hue investments in sectors of research and development, as well as education approaches that are now major contributors of economic growth of a country. However, despite of noteworthy importance of technological performance and development, a number of countries, especially developing nations are confronting problems in the application of knowledge-based systems due to lack of human capital or human resource to utilize these systems. In this regard, recent studies are focusing primarily on the role of education, and most importantly, higher education in the application and utilization of National Innovation Systems. Policymakers are now carrying out necessary steps to update higher education curriculum with international standards of technology, essential for the development of efficient human resource. In this regard, it has now become very imperative to include strategies that may enhance technological, as well as social capabilities of individuals that will be part of different actors of NIS. For such purpose, a number of governments, especially developed countries and OECD member countries have already initiated a number of knowledge-based programs in education sector that will result in provision of trained human capital in coming years. One of the significant characteristics of higher education is its ability to continue provision of human capital without any interruption that is an essential requirement for uninterrupted functioning of public and private institutions. Therefore, it is now high time for developing nations to emphasize on the developments of higher education institutions that will provide trained human resource through involvement of technological advancements in their learning process, as well as by commencing academic researches that will facilitate in efficient application of acquired knowledge. For this reason, it is important to carry out new researches on NIS in the context of developing countries. Purpose Statement The proposed research will be endeavoring to “Identify the Role of Higher Education in National Innovation System: Case of Pakistan.” Aims and Objectives In light of the abovementioned discussion and brief review of literature related to National Innovation System, the proposed research has identified few objectives in line with its purpose statement that will allow efficient understanding of NIS, as well as role of higher education in implementation and utilization of knowledge-based economy in a developing country. In this regard, the proposed research will attempt to understand the learning process at various analytical levels, and will endeavor to identify and analyze primary functions of the system. A major objective of this research is to obtain few strategies that will enable effective management and utilization of identified functions of the system. Additionally, the research’s aim is to understand various actors, institutions, and their relationships in complex system of knowledge-based economy. Moreover, the research will utilize a standardized set of quantitative indicators and national profiles to compare few national Innovation systems for enhanced understanding of the system. Research Questions In line with aims and objectives of the proposed research, some of the identified research questions are as follows: What is the general national picture regarding higher education reforms, notably with respect to the selected study areas and what evidence is available on their impact? What is the state of the art of reform in the selected study areas at the level of the higher education institutions? What are – according to respondents at the level of the programmes in the selected study areas – the impacts of the reforms? What are references of good performance in terms of the impacts? Study Areas: Framework for Analysis Balancing imperatives Creating visions that communicate Developing a strategic, horizontal approach Tapping population dividends Integrating learning in governance practices Developing appropriate knowledge bases Develop and implement action plans with monitoring and reporting systems Designing agencies Improving evaluation and learning Developing pragmatic public-private sector interfaces Methodology Research method is very crucial in every study and so, the proposal will now provide a brief summation of methodological strategies that will acquire material related to National Innovation Systems and specifically, role of higher education in these systems. It is an observation that varying amount of studies despite of quality researchers result in ineffective results due to focus on only one aspect while ignoring the other. In other words, it is very important to consider every aspect of the topic that may provide favorable understandings. The proposed research will focus on both primary and secondary research approaches to acquire concrete material related to various actors of National Innovation System, as well as different functions and process of knowledge-based society and economy. In brief, secondary studies, such as books, academic journals, magazines, etc will be very valuable contributors during the research. While this secondary research approach will offer answers to various queries in the national context of NIS, it is essential to consider primary research methodology that will enable the researcher to fill loopholes between secondary researched material and objectives of this research. In primary research approach, survey findings will be very helpful allowing a concise and explicit perspective of different actors involved in the NIS. For this purpose, the researcher will use questionnaires to acquire brief answers from senior faculty and administrators, and then, will strive to acquire in-depth descriptions. In specific, study indicated that the history of economic progress of developing economies indicates that their NIS systems have evolved considering the most pressing requirements of the national economic development, and thus, questionnaire will include queries related to such reform process. In this manner, answers from questionnaires will enable the researcher to compare results with identified material of the secondary researches, and thus, it will allow generation of a balanced and accurate understanding and conclusion after the research. Besides questionnaires, this dissertation will acquire information from a case study that will provide practical information and issues confronted on national level. For such purpose, the research has selected Pakistan as case study for this research, and thus, researcher will analyze notion of NIS in context of Pakistan. Finally, concluding part will present a conceptual framework that will enable further understanding of National Innovation Systems in a generalized manner, as well in context of developing countries as well. One of the major benefits of considering secondary research is its simplicity and easy accessibility. Conversely, primary research requires a great amount of time during the questionnaires and case studies. In this way, while primary research will be taking time, study will emphasize greatly on secondary research to acquire greater amount of information while using less financial resources, as compared with primary research requiring huge funding during the case studies and questionnaires. Conclusion Conclusively, the proposal has discussed some of the significant aspects of research related to the National Innovation Systems. Brief review of literature specified that a number of theorists and scholars have attempted to identify and define different aspects, functions, and existing relationships of different public and private actors and institutions of the National Innovation System. However, it is very important to acquire updated material, as globalization is causing huge advancements in almost every sector of human society, and thus, it is essential to analyze and understand issues in contemporary manner. For this purpose, it is an expectation that the abovementioned research proposal will be beneficial for colleagues, students, teachers, professionals, and personal understanding of the topic. Through pursuing Ph.D. studies, I believe that I will be able to work more constructively in the area of my interest viz. ‘innovation management’, and more precisely, ‘national innovation system’. Lastly, this research will allow contribution in the construction and implementation of suitable policies in a more effective manner. References Drucker, P.F. (1993). Post-Capitalist Society. Oxford Printing Press. Freeman, C. (1987). Technology Policy and Economic Performance. Pinter Press. Lundvall, B. A. (1992). National Systems of Innovation. Pinter Press. Machlup, F. (1962), the Production and Distribution of Knowledge in the United States. Princeton University Press. Metcalfe, S. (1995). “The Economic Foundations of Technology Policy.” Handbook of the Economics of Innovation and Technological Change. Blackwell Publishers. Nelson, R. R. (1993). National Innovation Systems. Oxford University Press. OECD. (1996). The Knowledge-based Economy. Blackwell Publishers. OECD. (2001). “The New Economy: Beyond the Hype.” Final report on the OECD Growth Project. OECD. Patel, P., and Pavitt, K. (1994). “The Nature and Economic Importance of National Innovation Systems.” STI Review. Volume No. 14, OECD Press. Smith, K. (2002). “What is the knowledge economy? Knowledge-intensive industries and distributed knowledge bases,” Paper presented at the DRUID Summer Conference. June 15-17. Read More