Analyzing and improving the national innovation system of highly developed countries — The case of Switzerland

According to the European Innovation Scoreboard, Switzerland is the innovation leader in Europe. Switzerland surpasses countries such as Finland, Sweden or Germany in most of the relevant indicators. Additionally, Switzerland is also one of the most competitive countries in the world, as investigated by the World Economic Forum. This paper addresses the question, how the country can keep its leading position by enlarging and strengthening the national innovation system in a sustainable way. Using a systemic approach, in particular an adapted national innovation system framework, this study analyses the current innovation system of Switzerland and comes up with nine recommendations for improvement. Two years after the presentation of these findings to the Swiss government, this study is also able to report on the implementation of some of these recommendations. Method wise, it is a result of a series of interviews and workshops with major stakeholders in the innovation field in Switzerland combined with the analysis of secondary data from multiple sources.

► We analyze NIS of one of the highest developed countries in the world. ► Prior to this study, almost only the NIS of lesser developed countries were investigated. ► This study goes further than any study on NIS before. ► We devise recommendations on how to improve the NIS and report on subsequent developments. ► Both developed and lesser developed countries can profit from the findings.