An approach to a country's innovation considering cultural, economic, and social conditions

Abstract

One of the main concerns regarding innovation lies in knowing and understanding how this phenomenon occurs. Many countries are basing their aspirations for progress on innovation, placing it at the heart of their growth strategies. In response to this need, this study proposes to analyse the combined effects of five conditions that can lead to a country’s innovation. Using a sample of 51 countries and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), this study aims to find out whether a country’s long-term orientation, its public expenditure on education, its democracy level, the inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI), and its entrepreneurial activity can lead independently or in combination to the presence of innovation. The results show that the democracy level and the long-term orientation of a country are key conditions to lead to a country’s innovation. Conversely, the inflows of FDI and the public expenditure on education seem to play a secondary role to lead to a country’s innovation. Besides, the entrepreneurial activity of a country and its innovative activity seem to behave in the opposite direction. The results are intended to help governments, businesses, and investors make decisions capable of generating greater value at all levels.