Innovation Economics and Policy Design: Insights

Harvard economist Ricardo Hausmann explains why traditional economic models miss the mark on innovation policy – and offers a framework that could transform how countries build competitive advantages in the global knowledge economy.

Dr. Delgado began by outlining that only 9% of all patents globally can be attributed to women. Though this share is increasing, the pace is very slow.

Efficient innovation ecosystems bring together scientific research and industrial production to create technologies that drive economic growth. But how can we measure how well these interactions work?

Different countries, different capabilities—but one clear trend: complexity and prosperity move together.

Innovation ecosystems that master complex skills face a new challenge: optimizing their outputs by strategically focusing on their most valuable capabilities.

Innovation does not follow a random path. It evolves through interactions between scientific domains, production sectors, and technological expertise. Recognizing these patterns provides a roadmap for fostering the next generation of transformative technologies.

Every innovation ecosystem harbors unseen innovation potential—unlocking it could spark groundbreaking advancements and growth.

A new report by WIPO presents trends and challenges to improve women’s participation in industrial designs in Central European and Baltic States.

Insights from Prof. Myriam Mariani’s keynote lecture

Richard R. Nelson has inspired generations of economists interested in technological change, innovation and intellectual property. His research has allowed us to conceptualize and better understand the processes behind innovation and to design the innovation policies of today.

WIPO’s First Global Research Experts Meeting on Gender and Diversity in Intellectual Property and Innovation

Innovation in agriculture is central to cultivating the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) bioeconomy sector, helping boost the region's resilience and reduce poverty rates.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of innovation, understanding which capabilities are the most complex can reveal the strategic advantages and potential growth pathways for economies worldwide.

Each year, the WIPO Chief Economist’s Network convenes to exchange insights, tools, and methodologies with IP offices worldwide. Here are some key highlights from this year’s meeting!

Mapping the world’s knowledge can empower innovation policy makers to make informed decisions.

The game of Scrabble can shed light on why some countries and regions grow faster than others. It also offers valuable lessons for those striving to catch up. Read more to find out how!

Engaging women in science, technology and innovation is crucial for societies to address pressing social and economic issues. Drawing from Austria’s recent ranking in female inventor rates across Europe, the Austrian Patent Office conducted a qualitative study to identify and ramp up pivotal initiatives for empowering women in innovation and patenting. Let’s take a look at these initiatives!

Examining the evolution of the ecosystem’s performance can help identify if the path to development is on the right track.

By identifying their capabilities, innovation ecosystems can find where to look for new areas to develop and prioritize the most promising ones.

Ecosystems can understand which of their actual capabilities are the most precious and look into ways of nurturing them.