Create and strengthening innovation ecosystem: roles of policy-affiliated transition intermediaries in latecomers

Purpose This study aims to explore the functions of policy-affiliated intermediaries and their roles in driving innovation in latecomers. Design/methodology/approach Latecomers have recently recognized the significance of an innovation ecosystem in transitioning to an innovation-driven economy. However, these countries encounter various market and system failures, making policy-affiliated transition intermediaries crucial in orchestrating innovation ecosystems. To achieve this, this study used a case study of a policy-affiliated intermediary and conducted interviews with 19 managers. The results from the content analysis revealed that innovation intermediaries in latecomers perform more comprehensive duties than those mentioned in the literature in the transition to innovation-based development. Findings Results show that the most important of policy-affiliated innovation intermediaries’ roles is orientation to the government and private sector market, attracting the participation of the private sector through the implementation of tax credits and the development of the corporate innovation ecosystem, developing science and technology parks, developing laboratory research infrastructure, supporting prominent and capable professors to create innovation networks, developing innovation zones around research institutions and leading universities and developing international scientific cooperation. These are new and important functions that innovation intermediaries should play in the transition process. Originality/value The research found that the innovation intermediary acts as a change agent in the mental model of other executive and decision-making bodies. Also result shows that this intermediaries can play more roles than what is mentioned in the literature for the development of innovation.