Title: Enabling business innovation: government policy in the UK

Authors: Jan Druker

Addresses: University of East London Business School, Longbridge Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 2AS, UK

Abstract: Since 1997, the Labour government in the UK has espoused policies of competitiveness and innovation, assuming the role of ||enabler|| of a knowledge driven economy. The intention is to encourage competitiveness and to define a ||third way|| between market-led economic policies and state intervention. The government has inherited significant problems that are impediments to progress - for example, inadequate skill levels, low rates of start-up for small businesses and wide disparities in regional performance. There are difficulties about the basis for assessment of such policies. Despite the shift in rhetoric there is evidence of continuity with the previous Conservative government|s market-led policies. The evidence that is available to date suggests that the rhetoric concerning the government|s role as an enabler of innovation is stronger than the reality.

Keywords: innovation; UK government policy; the ||third way||; competitiveness; skills.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEIM.2003.003285

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, 2003 Vol.3 No.3, pp.211 - 226

Published online: 20 Aug 2003 *

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