Innovation under the Radar: The Nature and Sources of Innovation in Africa
Cambridge University Press, 12/17/2020
EAN 9781107183100, ISBN10: 1107183103
Hardcover, 280 pages, 24.1 x 16.5 x 2.5 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
Investigating the nature, drivers and sources of innovation in Africa, this book examines the channels for effective diffusion of innovation in and to Africa under institutional, resource and affordability constraints. Fu draws on almost a decade of research on innovation in Africa to explore these issues and unpack the process, combining a rigorous statistical analysis of a purposely designed multi-wave, multi-country survey with in-depth studies of representative cases. Building on this research, Fu argues that African firms are innovative but unsupported. Those 'under-the-radar' innovations that widely exist in Africa as a result of the constraints are not sufficient to enable Africa to leapfrog the innovation gap in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution. This is the first comprehensive analysis of the creation and diffusion of innovation in low income countries. It also provides the first survey-based analysis of innovation in the informal economy.
Foreword Luc Soete
1. Introduction
2. Innovation in Low Income Countries
Received Wisdom
3. The Economy of Ghana and Tanzania
An Overview
Part I. The Nature and Domestic Sources of Innovation in Africa
4. Innovation under the Radar as a Response to Constraints
The Nature of Innovation in Africa (with Giacommo Zanello)
5. Open Innovation as a Response to Constraints and Risks
The Role of Collaboration, Universities, Clusters and Value Chains
6. Innovation and Growth of African Firms
Survival and Growth
7. Women Entrepreneurs and Innovation (with Mammo Muchie and Abiodun Egbetokun)
8. The Role of the State in Innovation in Africa (with George Essegbey and Bitrina Diyamett)
Part II. The Diffusion of Foreign Innovation into Africa
9. The Diffusion of Foreign Innovation to Africa
The Role of Trade, MNEs and Diasporas
10. Social Networks and Knowledge Diffusion within MNE Subsidiaries
Part III. Emerging Technologies and Innovation in Africa
11. ICT Adoption and Innovation (with Jun Hou)
12. The Diffusion and Adoption of Digital Finance Innovation in Africa (with Anne Kingiri)
13. Opportunities and Challenges of 4th Industrial Revolution for Africa
14. Conclusions
Can Africa Leap Frog the Innovation Gap?