Title: Is there a rationale for services R&D and innovation policies?

Authors: Pim den Hertog, Luis Rubalcaba, Jeroen Segers

Addresses: Dialogic Innovation and Interaction, Hooghiemstraplein 33-36, Utrecht, 3514 AX, The Netherlands. ' University of Alcala and IAES, Plaza de la Victoria 2, Alcala de Henares, Madrid 28802, Spain. ' Dialogic Innovation and Interaction, Hooghiemstraplein 33-36, Utrecht, 3514 AX, The Netherlands

Abstract: Do services R&D and innovation matter? If so, what policy options are available to facilitate services R&D and innovation? This paper addresses these two questions. We discuss whether market (and systemic) failures apply to services and services R&D and innovation. The usual storyline to pay no specific attention to services in R&D and innovation policies is challenged. Three major approaches (assimilation, demarcation and systemic) to services R&D and innovation policy are discussed and practical policy options along these lines offered. It is concluded that the current debate on service innovation suffers from too much assimilation and demarcation thinking and lacks a vision as to how services are part and parcel of innovation systems. A systemic vision may emerge, providing a new analytical framework for developing new and more effective services R&D and innovation policies.

Keywords: services innovation; R&D; research and development; market failures; systemic failures; innovation policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2008.019710

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.334 - 354

Published online: 24 Jul 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article