Emerging innovation systems (eis): a new conceptual framework for analysing gcc and maghreb countries policies

Abstract

Purpose: This paper examines some of the diffi culties met by GCC and Maghreb countries to innovate and impulse a sustainable growth through the lenses of the Emergence paradigm. It looks more precisely at the state of innovation systems and how they work in this crucial stage of emergence. Design/methodology/approach: Both in depth analysis of the existing literature and data collection. The study uses data from fi eldwork conducted in both GCC and Maghreb countries involving several institutions (enterprises, training centers, ministries, research centers and industrial technical centers) together with secondary data mostly from international organisations. Findings: Results indicate that both GCC and Maghreb Countries have not been using the right conceptual framework which is appropriate for their specifi c situation but rather an approach which is more indicated for emerging economies such as the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) whose main objective is to catch up advanced economies. Our study shows in the case of GCC and Maghreb Countries, most key players and stakeholders of the innovation process are either partially included or totally excluded from the innovation sphere. Two major conclusions can be drawn: the fi rst one, is the need to construct an innovation system which brings back all the key players in the innovation sphere. The second one is to build an innovation system more appropriate to the Emergence stage, which could exercise a relatively strong push for an eff ective demand for R&D products and services to emerge and which we call here 'Emerging Innovation System' (EIS). Originality/value: The originality of this work rests on the analytical framework used. While most work done on these issues concentrated on input]output analysis examining mostly defi ciencies