What other countries are doing
[ Last Updated 15 August 2008 ]
To help New Zealand's policy development, we regularly look for and study international best practice in development policies. We allow for the fact that the situation in other countries is different from our own. We gain useful insights from comparing our policies with the policies and experiences of other countries. We are also able to more realistically predict consequences of specific policies.
New Zealand is one of several countries focusing on innovation as a key driver of improved productivity and stronger economic growth. Other countries that have produced economic growth and innovation strategies include Australia, Norway, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan.
Australia's innovation strategy
The Backing Australia's Ability strategy was introduced by the Australian government in 2001 to promote science and innovation. This five-year A$3 billion plan represents a commitment to:
- pursue excellence in research, science, and technology
- build a more highly skilled workforce
- increase opportunities for taking new ideas to market.
The plan covers six main areas:
- building up the knowledge infrastructure
- strengthening linkages in the innovation system
- building critical mass and focus
- strengthening commercialisation of public sector research
- improving the situation for business research and development (R&D)
- strengthening the skills base.
Norway's innovation policy "From Idea to Value: The Government's Plan for a Comprehensive Innovation Policy"
The Norwegian innovation policy [PDF], is based on five ‘pillars’ for a more innovative economy. It has shared ownership and joint leadership across the public and private sectors. The pillars are:
- Framework conditions: Getting the framework conditions right (for example, tax policy). Government ensures a level playing field and sound regulations so innovation is not hindered.
- Knowledge and skills: Acknowledging the value of quality knowledge and skills in innovation processes. Lifelong learning is important for upgrading skills and increasing innovative capability.
- Research, development and commercialisation: Recognising that new knowledge from R&D is a major input into innovation processes.
- Entrepreneurship: Acknowledging that through the start-up of new companies, new ideas are tested, brought to markets and developed. Training and education in entrepreneurship is recognised as a key element in efforts to increase both the quantity and quality of business start-ups.
- Infrastructure, electronic and physical: Recognising that physical and electronic infrastructures help interaction and flows of information and goods in the economy.
Canada's innovation strategy
Canada's Innovation Strategy was launched on 12 February 2002, with the release of two companion documents: Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity and Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians.
The papers highlight goals, milestones and targets that will improve innovation, skills and learning in Canada. The Canadian government’s goals are to boost the economy by nurturing a more knowledge-based workforce, and to build a strong scientific and research environment. They aim to achieve this by 2010, and if the goals are met, investment in R&D will have doubled and venture capital investments per capita will match US levels.
United Kingdom's innovation strategy
The UK government envisions the United Kingdom as a key knowledge hub in the global economy, with a reputation for world-class scientific and technological discovery, and for turning that knowledge into new and profitable products and services. The innovation strategy identifies seven critical success factors for innovation performance:
- sources of new technological knowledge
- capacity to absorb and exploit new knowledge
- access to finance
- competition and entrepreneurship
- customers and suppliers
- the regulatory environment
- networks and collaboration.
Taiwan's development strategy
In May 2002, Taiwan launched a six-year national development plan called Challenge 2008. Its vision is to develop Taiwan into a ’green silicon island‘ that balances the needs of environmental protection and economic development.
The aim of Challenge 2008 is to foster the creativity and talent that Taiwan needs to achieve this vision.
The development plan will cost an estimated US$75 billion. Major reforms will focus on three areas: government, banking and finance. Investment will be directed toward the four broad purposes of:
- cultivating talent
- encouraging research, development and innovation
- improving international logistics
- creating a high-quality living environment.
The strategy of economic development includes:
- ‘economy first, investment first, Taiwan first’ to deeply cultivate Taiwan
- economic liberalisation and internationalisation to meet the challenges of globalisation and entry into the World Trade Organisation
- upgrading technological innovation and R&D to transform Taiwan into a high value-added manufacturing country
- developing a global logistics management system to maximise Taiwan's geographic advantage and talented labour force
- promoting government reorganisation and efficiency to complement economic development and raise national competitiveness.
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