No 2008/10 Comparing national systems of innovation in Asia and Europe

theory and comparative framework

Abstract

This chapter is structured as follows. In the introductory section, the objectives of the “Small Country Innovation Systems” book project are outlined and the methodological and theoretical foundations of the book are ddressed. This is followed by an extended conceptual and theoretical discussion. Using the traditional systems of innovation approaches as the point of departure, we specify the most important concepts used in the book. Subsequently, we outline an activities-based framework for studying and comparing NSIs. Then we discuss the characteristics of the ten countries selected for study (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea). Finally we outline the common structure of each of the country studies, including the presentation of a model table of contents. The chapter ends with abstracts of the ten case studies.