Title: Building knowledge regions in developing nations with emerging innovation infrastructure: evidence from Mexico and Pakistan

Authors: Sarfraz Mian, Leonel Corona, Jerome Doutriaux

Addresses: School of Business, State University of New York, 310 Rich Hall, Oswego, NY 13126, USA. ' Facultad de Economia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico. ' Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, 55 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

Abstract: This paper studies the efforts of building knowledge regions in emerging economy nations with special reference to Mexico and Pakistan. It starts with the introduction of an analytical framework developed for assessing knowledge regions. This is followed by case studies exploring the emerging innovation infrastructure appearing in several metropolitan regions of the two countries (five in Mexico and three in Pakistan) aimed at developing knowledge-based economies. A comparative analysis of the existing structures and policies of each case shows that efforts have been made primarily through university and research centre initiatives, while support programs such as science parks, incubators and other government incentives seem to have only limited effectiveness except when used in regions with a well developed industrial and service base and related entrepreneurial culture. Overall, there are gaps in innovation infrastructure development due to scarce resources, as well as in most cases, absence of entrepreneurial culture, both considered longer term undertakings. While providing insights into the challenges faced by developing nations when building knowledge regions, the paper lays out what can be learned from both countries| experiences and recommends appropriate policy actions.

Keywords: knowledge regions; innovation infrastructure; developing countries; Mexico; Pakistan; science and technology; technology innovation poles; metropolitan areas; emerging economies; universities; research centres; science parks; incubators; entrepreneurial culture; entrepreneurship.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIRD.2010.037884

International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2010 Vol.2 No.4, pp.304 - 330

Published online: 03 Jan 2011 *

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