Title: Tapping the innovation potential of knowledge intensive services in emerging economies

Authors: Metka Stare; Dimária Silva e Meirelles; Ana Maria Dos Santos

Addresses: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva Ploščad 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia ' Post Graduation Programme in Business Administration, Centre of Applied Social Science, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Alameda Serra da Mantiqueira, 259, Morada das Nuvens, Itapevi-SP, 06696-250, Brazil ' Centre of Applied Social Science, Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Rua Cachoeira do Sul, 472. Vila Jaguara, São Paulo-SP, 05117-010, Brazil

Abstract: The knowledge and awareness of the innovation potential of services in emerging economies is lagging behind even though services in most of these economies occupy the largest share of GDP and employment. Innovation policy is focused on technological innovation failing to enhance complementary organisational and marketing innovations that are particularly important for the service sector. The paper aims to identify the distinct features of innovation in knowledge intensive services (KIS) that could inform the shaping of innovation policy in emerging economies in order to better respond to the structural changes in those economies. The analysis draws from the insight of KIS companies' case studies in Brazil and Slovenia to identify the types of innovations, the organisation of innovation activity and knowledge protection, the main drivers of innovation process and actors involved. The relevance of those elements is discussed from the perspective of designing public policy that could support the exploitation of service innovation potential in emerging economies in general.

Keywords: service innovation; emerging economies; knowledge intensive services; KIS; organisational innovation; innovation policy; non-technological innovation; Brazil; Slovenia; public policy; innovation potential.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2012.052859

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2012 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.204 - 223

Published online: 09 Aug 2014 *

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