Transformative innovation policies detached from existing systems of innovation in the global south

Abstract

Addressing the identified lack of empirical evidence of how the transformative innovation policy (TIP) agenda is implemented in practice, this paper looks at how contemporary policy practices framed as TIP take into account and build upon existing systems of innovation in the global south. We do so by studying a development aid policy programme in Norway targeting the SDGs and transformative change in the global south. The findings show that priority is given to implementing and upscaling Western solutions and that there has been a subordinate orientation towards the local demand these solutions are meant to serve, and to the innovation systems they are meant to strengthen. Based on these findings, we discuss whether this form of technology transfer detached from local production- and innovation systems is the most effective way to secure long-term local capacity building and transformative change in the global south.