Mapping the Indian nanotechnology innovation system
| Date | 01 April 2014 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-09-2013-0039 |
| Published date | 01 April 2014 |
| Pages | 53-65 |
| Author | Amit Kumar,Pranav N. Desai |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Mapping the Indian
nanotechnology innovation
system
Amit Kumar and Pranav N. Desai
Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University,
New Delhi, India
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to map out the Indian nanotechnology innovation system.
An attempt is made to identify the dominant actors, collaborative pattern and analyse the role of and
interactions between the actors and institutions.
Design/methodology/approach – A combination of frameworks such as national and international
system of innovation is used to include all possible actors and institutions involved. A scientometric
analysis is also carried out.
Findings – Despite a series of government interventions discernible in various programmes since
the 1980s, nanotechnology-based industries are yet to emerge as a dominant sector. The health sector
has emerged as one of the major contributors in terms of nanotechnology applications. There are
many other challenges of safety and standards, socioeconomic, ethical and environmental concerns.
Academic R&D labs are active in technology transfer.
Research limitations/implications – A scant literature is available for this sector in India and
especially from the international innovation system framework to analyse the socioeconomic and risk
governance issues.
Practical implications – A scant literature is available for this sector in India and especially
from the international innovation system framework to analyse the socioeconomic and risk
governance iss ues.
Originality/value – A scant literature is available for this sector in India and especially from the
international innovation system framework to analyse the socioeconomic and risk governance issues.
Keywords India, Nanotechnology, Innovation systems, International collaborations
Paper type Research p aper
1. Introduction
Nanotechnology is emerging as an all-pervasive field finding application in diverse
sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, electronics, cosmetics, textiles, water
treatment. Many countries across the world, including India, have launched several
initiatives in order to tap the eno rmous potential nanote chnology offers. However,
the areas of application might or ought to differ in the developed and the developing
countries given the difference in their socioeconomic situation. Nanotechnology has
raised hopes and has promised many solutions to issues relating to food, health,
environment and industrial productivity and at the same time posed many challenges
of safety and standards, socioeconomic, ethical, political, environmental, ethical and
legal nature. With the heightened significance, it is needless to emphasise the crucial
role of research, development and innovation in the development of nanotechnology.
This paper attempts to map the Indian nanotechnology innovation system from the
systems of innovation framework. Many scholars (Freeman, 1987; Lundvall, 1992;
Nelson, 1993; Edquist, 1997; Breschi and Malerba, 1997; Asheim and Isaksen, 2002;
Desai, 2009) have described various systems of innovation. Although there are some
scholars who perceive different frameworks, such as national, sectoral, regional and
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5945.htm
WorldJour nal of Science, Technology
and Sustainable Development
Vol.11 No. 1, 2014
pp. 53-65
rEmeraldGroup PublishingLimited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-09-2013-0039
53
Nanotechnology
innovation
system
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