Innovation Policy and Performance

A Cross-Country Comparison

This report examines the relationship between innovation policy and performance in six OECD countries - Austria, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Using a common framework based on the National Innovation Systems approach this report highlights countries' strengths and weaknesses in innovation, as well as the effectiveness of their innovation policies in driving economic performance. It indicates that countries share a need to adapt - or even profoundly change - their innovation policies in order to deal with opportunities and threats posed by new technological and economic developments. A synthesis chapter reviews the main findings of the study and derives key policy conclusions.

This report examines the relationship between innovation policy and performance in six OECD countries - Austria, Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.