REDESIST -

Research and Networking

 The main objectives of this component are:

1. To build upon BRICS Project results, now focusing on innovation systems for social inclusion. 
2. Expanding BRICS network to other countries.
2. To consolidate a methodological framework to analyze socially inclusive innovation systems in developing countries characterized by high levels of informality.
3. To build upon empirical work focusing on local experiences of inclusive innovation process in BASIC+ countries.
4. To stimulate interactions and the exchange of experiences between academic area (researchers, professors, PhD students) and policy-makers interested in innovation and development.
5. To diffuse the knowledge generated by the project through the submission of articles to international and national journals, setting up a web page and participation in seminars and local panels.

Background

Globelics network has been increasingly addressing in its research agenda the analysis of two worrying global challenges: the environmental crisis and the rising social inequalities.   The RISSI Project will be closely linked with the later concern. Building upon the research results of the BRICS Project, the efforts now will focus on improving the analytical linkages between innovation system framework and inclusive development challenges. The main goal is to improve the knowledge-base on innovation systems searching for alternatives that may contribute to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion.

Since the characteristics, the interactions, and the learning processes that take place among informal or micro/small scale actors linked to social innovation processes may differ dramatically from the medium and large enterprises, a methodological framework capable to identify their specific innovative and learning dynamics will be developed by RISSI Project researchers. 

Case studies on local innovation and production systems (LIPS) will be developed in BASIC+ countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, China and Uruguay).  Better studying the specificities of this kind of LIPS is an important step to understand how to transform marginal innovative activities into innovation systems that are sustainable and have wider socio-economic impact.

Some research questions to be investigated by the case studies are: How to link the informal and formal sectors to transform marginal innovative activities into inclusive innovation systems with wider impact? What kinds of partnerships could be formed during this process? How to integrate the (doing-using and interacting) DUI-based innovation of informal enterprises with the (science-technology and innovation) STI-based innovation by government and formal economic system? What kinds of networks are needed? What role could governments play? 

It is expected that the conceptual and empirical work to be developed by the RISSI Project will contribute to enabling a more coherent understanding of how the innovation systems in selected developing countries can contribute to improving livelihoods and achieving to objectives of more inclusive development. Particular attention will be given to policy implications and recommendations based on project findings.

Network activities linking the research teams in BASIC+ countries will be developed in order to guarantee adequate interaction and learning among the researchers.