Innovation forms the basis of economic growth and development. The ââ?¬Å?innovation systemââ?¬Â\r\nconcept started receiving more attention in literature since the 1980s, but very few studies have\r\nattempted to explain the functioning of such a system. Therefore, the need arose to develop a\r\nmodel for an innovation system a gainst which specific innovation systems could be compared\r\nand evaluated. Different models for an innovation system, as described in literature, were\r\nevaluated against findings of empirical studies in literature. Subsequently, a conceptual,\r\ndescriptive framework for an innovation system model was developed. The participants that\r\nplay a role in the innovation system were found to include, primarily, the innovative firms that\r\nare at the centre of the innovation system due to their importance in the contribution to\r\ninnovative activities. Innovative firms were found to be operating in a complex matrix of other\r\nparticipants or actors. It was further indicated that the strength of the linkages amongst\r\nparticipants has a positive effect on the innovative performance of the system and so is\r\nimportant for the transfer of finances, knowledge and technology. The conceptual model serves\r\nas a point of departure for the evaluation of innovation systems.
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