The global innovation index as a measure of triple helix engagement

Abstract

This paper reviews the leading scoring systems for measuring innovation capabilities on a global scale providing comparability across developed and developing countries. Each Index is introduced with its background, methodology, and how it reflects on different Triple Helix constituencies. The first OECD framework developed a methodology for measuring business-led innovation, justified with the mid-twentieth century scientific believe, that universities merely supply labour markets, and government is performing a regulatory role, influencing the environment. The World Bank framework on measuring the knowledge Economy brings in a stronger system view with the role of institutions and late 20th century believes. The EU Innovation Scoreboard, while using the OECD methodology and measures for R&D intensity, expands in the direction of enablers from the university education, public sector research, direct and indirect financial support, and the accumulation of broader economic effects from the innovation process. The Global Innovation Index adds little to this portfolio, but offers a simplified version of innovation inputs, outputs and intensity measure, enabling to extend the comparability across countries. Overall the evolution of innovation indexing is moving towards a recognition of the complex and dynamic realities of interactions between university science, business innovation and government investment in system-level policies and projects, but the measurement remains focused on individual helices.