Browsing by Author "Fischer, Alice"

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    Inside the Israeli Innovation System: its origins, development and evolution
    (2018-01-17) Fischer, Alice; Hawkins, Richard; Vredenburg, Harrie; Sharlin, Ehud; Chastko, Paul; Gregson, Geoff
    This dissertation examines the origins and evolution of the Israeli Innovation System, which propelled the development of the country’s economy, focusing on how it is responding to the new challenges of green energy. The research is interdisciplinary, involving documentary historical and policy research, in-depth interviewing, and analysis within the Systems of Innovation theoretical framework. The findings indicate that the main reasons for the successes of the system have been the commitment of government through policies and programs; the technological developments by elite military units; a military and business culture that embraces risk and entrepreneurship; the role of its universities in applied R&D; and the Russian Jewish immigration that brought a wealth of human capital. The findings also show that although the Israeli Innovation System has been very successful for the last 20 years, ‘innovation’ in the system itself is now required if its success is to continue. The main weaknesses of the Israeli innovation system include its narrow focus on research and development (R&D), and the practice of exporting new technologies instead of developing them into domestic industries. The conclusion is that culture and public policy are equally important in technology transfer and innovation, possibly making it difficult for other countries to copy the Israeli Innovation System.