A debate on innovation surveys

Abstract

After over a decade of innovation surveys around the globe, it is time to evaluate the process and ask whether or not the Oslo Manual based system of surveys supports the overall objective of providing useful information on innovation. We propose to frame the debate on innovation surveys around the following conceptual and methodological dichotomies: manufacturing vs service sectors; private vs public sectors; high-tech vs low-tech; industrial classification vs clusters; new to the firm vs new to the market; successful vs unsuccessful firms; and, managers vs line innovators. We conclude with some actions that could be taken to overcome some of the problems highlighted. © Beech Tree Publishing 2004.