Vietnam in XXI Century: Institutional Development of S&T and Innovation Policy
PDF (Русский)

Keywords

national innovation system
Vietnam
S&T and innovation policy institutes
transitional economy
policy mix

How to Cite

ZaytsevaA. (2012). Vietnam in XXI Century: Institutional Development of S&T and Innovation Policy. Foresight and STI Governance, 6(2), 44-55. https://doi.org/10.17323/1995-459X.2012.2.44.55

Abstract

Since the beginning of 1990s the Vietnamese economy has been undergone structural changes that until recently have resulted in fast modernization and GDP growth. Recognizing the need to point economic development towards innovation, the government has undertaken institutional reform. This paper assesses the evolution of science, technology and innovation policy for the last decade in Vietnam, with emphasis on the coherence and efficiency of policy instruments. The study shows that despite major steps forward in the formation of a legislative and  institutional framework for the national innovation system, there are factors working against it. The mixed character of the Vietnamese economy (combining market institutions with tight public regulation and a significant share of public property) fostered by inconsistent and ineffective policies, discourages the innovation environment and synergy of reforms. There is also a huge gap between policy and implementation. Another factor is difficulties with setting strategic goals and defining policy priorities: policy tasks are overwhelming in number, but also there is overlap. There is no interdepartmental agency able to provide horizontal and vertical co-ordination of governmental initiatives. The bias towards fostering «technology push» as well as preserving dominance of state actors in science and industry is the most important inconsistency; «market pull» based tools remain underdeveloped. A new set of measures envisaged by the Strategy of Scientific, Technological and Innovation Development for 2011-2020 provides some opportunity for new policies. The government will need to revise the framework conditions restricting the development of competition, introduce demand-driven and inclusive development oriented tools as well as develop targeted and complementary regulation. Qualitative improvement of institutions requires introducin competitiveness where now economic elites dominate, and this, again, forces into the open the tension between economic pluralism and political monopoly.

https://doi.org/10.17323/1995-459X.2012.2.44.55
PDF (Русский)

References

Ahrens J., Meurers M. (2000) Institutions, Governance, and Economic Performance in Post-Socialist Countries: A Conceptual and Empirical Approach. Paper presented at 4th International Conference «Institutions in Transition», July 23-24, Portoro, Slovenia.

Beck T., Laeven L. (2005) Institution building and growth in transition economies. Policy Research Working Paper Series 3657. The World Bank.

Ca T.C., Hung N.V. (2011) Vietnam: Current Debates on the Transformation of Academic Institutions//Goransson B., Brundenius C. (eds.) Universities in Transition: The Changing Role and Challenges for Academic Institutions. Ottawa: IDRC. Р. 119-143.

Flanagan K., Uyarra E., Larangja M. (2010) The policy mix for innovation: rethinking innovation policy in a multi-level multi-actor context. Manchester Business School Working Paper № 599.

Goel V.K., Mashelkar R.A., Trieu V.Q. (2009) Vietnam: Innovation Policy for Competitiveness, Economic Growth and Social Equity. Concept note based on desk research and mission to Vietnam during August 17-21, 2009.

Hartmann F., Moers F. (1999) Testing contingency hypotheses in budgetary research: An evaluation of the use of moderated regression analysis//Accounting, Organizations and Society. Vol. 24. № 4. Р. 291-315.

Havrylyshyn O., van Rooden R. (2000) Institutions Matter in Transition, but so do Policies. IMF Working Paper.

Hong V.C.N., Cuong H.V. (2010) Restructuring Technological Innovation Activities in Vietnam. Hanoi: Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Lundvall B-A., Joseph K.J., Chaminade C., Vang J. (2009) Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries: Building Domestic Capabilities in a Global Setting. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Meske W., Thinh D.D. (2000) Vietnams Research and Development System in the 1990s. Structural and Functional Change. Research report. Hanoi: WZB, NISTPASS.

Nguyem T.H., Alam Q., Prajogo D., Duong A.N. (2008a) The Importance of the States Entrepreneurial Role, Business Support Services, and Technological Assistances to the Development of Vietnamese SMEs//International Business Research. CCSE. Vol. 1. № 4. Р. 3-9.

Nguyem T.H., Alam Q., Prajogo D., Majumdar N.A. (2008b) Public Policy for the Development of Private Sector and SMEs in a Socialist Market Economy. Paper presented at the 17th Biennale Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, July 1-3, Melbourne.

Nguyen H.L. (2011) Role of the State in Industrial Upgrading in Vietnam. Hanoi: Development Strategy Institute, Ministry of Planning and Investment.

North D.C. (1971) Institutional Change and Economic Growth//The Journal of Economic History. Vol. 31. № 1. P. 118-125.

North D.C., Thomas R.P. (1970) An Economic Theory of the Growth of the Western World//The Economic History Review. New Series. Vol. 23. № 1. P. 1-17.

OECD (2011) OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2011. Innovation and Growth in Knowledge Economies. Paris.

Raiser M., Haerpfer Ch., Nowotny T., Wallace C. (2001) Social Capital in Transition Countries: A First Look at the Evidence. EBRD Working Paper.

Viet L., Harvie C. (2010) Firm Performance in Vietnam. Evidence from Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises. Working Paper. University of Wollongong.

World Bank (2011) Take a Stock. An Update on Vietnams Recent Economic Developments. Washington.

World Bank (2012) Knowledge Economy Index. http://info.worldbank.org/etools/kam2/KAM_page5.asp.

Мазырин В.М. (2007) Реформы переходного периода во Вьетнаме (1986-2006 гг.): направления, динамика, результаты. М.: Ключ. 335 с.

Полтерович В.М. (2007) Стратегии институциональных реформ, или искусство реформ. Препринт WP/2007/08. Научные доклады лаборатории институционального анализа. М.: ГУ-ВШЭ.

Фрейнкман Л.М., Дашкеев В.В., Муфтяхетдинова М.Р. (2009) Анализ институциональной динамики в странах с переходной экономикой. М.: ИЭПП.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.