Research and innovation policies for social inclusion: an opportunity for developing countries

Abstract

The paper is based on one assumption and presents two conjectures. The assumption states that social exclusion is the main obstacle for development, characterised as the expansion of freedoms and capabilities. The conjectures are: (i) there is an emerging trend that directly relates knowledge policies to social inclusion; (ii) this trend offers a new opportunity for fostering innovation capabilities in developing countries. The difficulties to put knowledge and innovation at the service of development were highlighted forty years ago by the Sussex Manifesto; the explanatory role of the economic structure of developing countries and the way academic work is rewarded internationally were especially analysed. These difficulties are recognised in today's literature on development almost in the same terms. A fresh look into policies able to foster positive systemic relations between knowledge, innovation and social inclusion is necessary. The paper posits that inclusive systems of innovation can emerge from such policies.

Keywords:

• social exclusion
• development as freedom
• knowledge and innovation policies
• inclusive systems of innovation

Acknowledgements

Some of the ideas explored in this paper were presented and discussed at the 8th Globelics Conference in Malaysia, and the actual text benefited from the comments of two referees of this journal. The authors wish to thank the thoughtful and constructive suggestions received, while acknowledging responsibility for the final result.