National Innovation Systems in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: Re-evaluation of Indicators and Lessons for a Learning Economy in Senegal

Abstract

The National Innovation System (NIS) approach exists today in multiple terminologies, through a variety of conceptualizations all seeking to provide real means of action to public decision-makers on the issue of innovation, knowledge and economic development. This approach was originally defined by and for high-income countries and not for low- and middle-income countries. Based on the classification of the countries of the World Bank on the Gross National Income of the countries studied, our article proposes to focus on the relevant indicators, not predefined upstream, in order to measure and evaluate the systemic innovation of the low- and middle-income countries, from a learning economy perspective. To answer this, we propose a qualitative model that we validate in the case of Senegal. A low-income economy, it draws most of its efforts not in terms of S&T but more broadly in its learning policy, its reforms on higher education or proposals on entrepreneurship. These efforts are commendable in an economy where macroeconomic conditions are holding back its growth. The originality of our research relates to the implementation of these indicators and the lessons it brings to Senegal on the richness of the exploitation of capacities and skills as a vector of a learning economy.