The enterprising state – public action to drive innovation

The activities of an enterprising state are fundamental for putting in place the basic conditions in which innovation can flourish. In this work programme our research focus is on what the public sector can and should do to drive innovation in the private sector by building a fit-for-purpose layer of intermediary institutions, regulatory bodies, policy environment and public procurement practices.

The first challenge is how to make the regulatory system more innovation friendly – how to enhance the existing role of standards and measures to promote interconnectivity, for example. Similarly, while competition policy is seen as promoting innovation, current policy does not explicitly ask the question whether a merger or acquisition would boost innovation.

The second challenge is to reinforce the contribution of policy development to driving innovation. An obvious area where it looks like there has been some success is around the low-carbon agenda, both in terms of supporting green technologies and new processes, and new service activities such as carbon trading. Our work on the low-carbon economy suggests that policy can do more to build the institutions that can create markets and reduce uncertainty for long-term investors.

The third challenge is to increase the innovation impact of public procurement. Procurement has struggled to reconcile often conflicting objectives; for example, sticking with the tried-and-tested or opening up markets for the new and cutting-edge; going for scale, which can mean reduced costs, and consciously encouraging middle-to-large firms most likely to make significant technological breakthroughs, or reserving a share of contracts for SMEs. The impact of such policies at a local level needs to be much better understood.

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Related Events

The Work Foundation 2012 Annual Debate: Does the economy need a new kind of business?
Right across the political spectrum, thinkers and leaders are talking about the possibility of a new approach to our economic system. The Work Foundation hosts a panel debate on the need for a new kind of business.

Wednesday, 30 May 2012
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Disruptive Forces: Sustainability – Grand challenges and the innovation ecosystem
The Disruptive Forces series was built as an experiment, with the intention of testing the unique partner base as a microcosm for cross-sector information-sharing on emerging technologies, to co-design and pilot emergent ideas, and to investigate how these technological advancements can have broader impact through the innovation ecosystem. The topic for this second session will be to address key challenges in achieving sustainability and to highlight where emerging technologies and shifting m

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Intellectual Assets and Innovation: The SME Dimension
The Big Innovation Centre is pleased to host the UK launch of this recent report from the OECD into these areas. This event will explore the relations between SME intellectual asset management, innovation and competitiveness in different sectoral and national contexts, including Australia, Italy, Nordic Countries, the United Kingdom and United States.

Thursday, 24 May 2012
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Andrew Sissons interviewed about the double-dip recession on Radio 5 Live's Wake Up To Money
Andrew Sissons interviewed about the double-dip recession on Radio 5 Live's Wake Up To Money

26 April 2012

Andrew Sissons writes about the double-dip recession in the New Statesman
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/gdp/2012/04/double-dip-looks-trade-problem

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