Social attitudes to innovation and entrepreneurship: understanding the impact of the cultural context

Social attitudes to innovation exert an influence on entrepreneurship and the demand for innovative goods and services. However, the impact of “soft” factors such as the social and cultural context in which innovation processes take place is difficult to describe and measure. A forthcoming INNO-Grips study, conducted by UNU-MERIT, aims to improve our understanding in this field.

Social and cultural attitudes – and their economic effects – are possibly the aspects of innovation that are the most difficult to measure. The lack of adequate data limits our understanding of drivers and barriers to innovation and, consequently, the development of innovation policies that promote entrepreneurship and demand for innovative products. The INNO-Grips study on “Social attitudes to innovation and entrepreneurship” is currently addressing this challenge. The study will identify socio-economic indicators for entrepreneurship and demand for innovation and explore their effect on innovation outcomes. It will be available in early 2012.

The study has two main objectives: to compare how social attitudes influence entrepreneurship and demand for innovative products in Europe and in other major economies, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, India, China, and Brazil; and to suggest strategic responses for innovation policy, with a view to fostering more entrepreneurship and demand for innovation in Europe.

To stimulate the discussion in this field, and to validate the study results, an INNO-Grips workshop will be held on 19 January 2012 in Brussels, where the study team will present interim results for discussion. Due to limited capacity, participation in the workshop is restricted to invited experts. Requests to participate can be made to Mr Peter Alpass from Greenovate! Europe (assistant@greenovate.eu).

INNO-Grips workshop: “ Social attitudes toward fostering entrepreneurship and innovation demand”, 19th January 2012, 09:00 – 12:00 hrs, Rue d’Arlon 63, 1040 Brussels

Contact: Mr Peter Alpass, Greenovate! Europe (assistant@greenovate.eu)