Global Innovation Index 2014: The human factor in innovation

• Author: Catherine Jewell - Sacha Wunsch-Vincent
• Position: Communications Division - Economics and Statistics Division, WIPO
• Pages: 2-6

p. 2 2014 | 4

As the global economic re covery gathers pace a nd becomes more broad-base d,

policy-makers are focusing on the s earch for sources of future grow th and employ-

ment. But despite growing optimism abo ut the global economic outlo ok, govern-

ments continue to face a basic dile mma: limited scope for scal stimul us and public

investment but a strong need for investm ent and future-oriented pro-growth polici es

to sustain growth and employm ent. In this context innovation and entrepre neurship

are becoming ever-more importa nt. But what needs to be done to stimulate these key

drivers of economic grow th? How can policymakers track globa l innovation trends,

assess progress and i dentify prioriti es? The Global Innovation Index (GII), now in its

7th year, offers decision-makers a practical “ tool for action”. It provides a rich serie s of

metrics that benchmar k the innovation capabilities and perfo rmance of 143 countries.

As rms and governments sh ow growing interest in identifying and en ergizing creative

individuals and teams to har ness future growth, this year’s GII explores the critica l role

of the human factor in innovation.

GII 2014 was launched in Sydney on July 18, 2014, at the Business 20 (B20) meeting,

a forum through which the private sector produces policy recommendations for

the annual meeting of the Group of 20 (G20) leade rs, to be hosted by Australia in

November 2014.

This world leading repo rt tells us about the progress we have made with our i nnovation

policies and systems worldw ide. Knowing how we are faring on the in novation front

By Catherine Jewell,

Communications Division and

Sacha Wunsch-Vincent, Economi cs

and Statis tics Division, W IPO

Photos: iStockphoto/Photomorphic Pte Ltd — Corbis/Daniel Karmann

Getty Image s/seng chye teo — iStock photo/Randy Plet t Photographs

GLOBAL INNOVATION

I N DEX 2014:

e human factor

in innovation

e GII 2014 is availa ble at: www.wipo.int/

econ_stat/en/economics/gii/