Innovation Performance Measurement in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper analyzes the actual problems of innovation performance measurement, especially; the development of methodological tools in the assessment of innovation performance in developing countries. The paper discusses and substantiates the author's position on informal sector innovation in developing economies, and its related concepts. Using regression and correlation analysis, an assessment of innovation performance of economies was carried out using innovation development variables. Although, we found a weak correlation between innovation performance and GDP per capita income, however, we think the nature of data used plays some importance in the outcome. It could be argued that the need for an integrated approach in undertaking research surveys for the above purpose. The paper highlights the criteria used in measuring innovation performance of countries. The authors emphasize on the need for a wide spectrum of approaches, not based on only the mainstream prerequisites , but also taking into account subjective assessment of innovation in the informal sector of developing countries, which innovates to solve local problems. The methodological research tools include the reviewing of literature, theoretical approaches and various innovation concepts in assessing innovation performance, comparative analysis of the components of innovation. The paper discussed some prospects and importance of informal innovation to the Sub-Saharan economies, especially in the informal sector as a major source of employment and provides a larger proportion of the continent's GDP. This study provides a guideline in future research and innovation surveys for policymakers, economists and business people for better inclusive assessment of innovation performance of economies. 1. Introduction

Intellectual capital and innovation performance: the moderating role of big data analytics: evidence from the banking sector in Jordan

“…Several studies, such as those of and Wei et al (2020), confirmed that the phenomenon of innovation performance is complex in the business context, and it is very rare for a single factor to affect it. There is no consensus among researchers that a single method exists for measuring innovation performance (Bican and Brem, 2020;Forgor and Girinsky, 2020). According to some of them (Manion and Cherion, 2009;Rauter et al, 2019;Zizlavsky, 2016), innovation activity in any organisation can be measured by revenue, market share, growth margin, customer satisfaction and number of patents.…”

“…(2020), confirmed that the phenomenon of innovation performance is complex in the business context, and it is very rare for a single factor to affect it. There is no consensus among researchers that a single method exists for measuring innovation performance (Bican and Brem, 2020; Forgor and Girinsky, 2020). According to some of them (Manion and Cherion, 2009; Rauter et al.…”

Conservative culture, innovative culture, and innovative performance: a multi-group analysis of the moderating role of the job type

“…It can be argued that innovative performance is the true measure of organisational innovation output. Numerous researchers studied and measured innovative performance in several methods, with no consensus amongst researchers on specific methods of measuring innovative performance (Bican and Brem, 2020; Birchall et al , 2011; Forgor and Girinsky,2020). Numerous researchers measured innovative performance at the patent-registration level (Wei et al , 2020).…”