This briefing looks at ways to encourage Scotland’s economic growth through innovation.

Key findings:

• Scotland must develop its own innovation policies.
• It has a strong opportunity to make this transition, with a history of invention, a strong higher education base, and a number of important growth sectors.
• The Scottish Government has focused on boosting science, R&D and knowledge transfer.
• To make the most of Scotland’s attributes, the Scottish Government needs to develop a policy framework that supports all forms of innovation, led by a new Minister for Innovation.

Innovation is vital to Scotland’s future economic prosperity and social well-being. As the nation becomes more reliant on services – and confronts national challenges such as an ageing population and environmental sustainability – it must develop its own distinctive innovation policies.

This policy briefing looks at what the Scottish Government could do in order to encourage economic growth based on innovation. 

Author:

Nesta