A Model for Evaluating and Comparing the National Innovation Systems in 146 Countries

In the recent years, innovation has become an important indicator of sustainable economic growth in most countries. Therefore, there are different models for evaluating and comparing the national innovation system of countries. This paper is out to represent a model for evaluating the effectiveness of innovation at the nation-wide level by the means of studying the models proposed around the world. For this purpose, a variety of models are studied and the key indicators of national innovation systems are identified. From these indicators, those which are indicated in at least five models are chosen and after interviewing with several elites in this area, the most important key indicators are specified. Using the finalized key indicators, a model including 7 factors and 29 indicators is developed in order to evaluate the amount of innovation at the nation-wide level. There are four groups of base, input, process and output factors. Furthermore, by the use of data’s from different international sources and the conformity factor Analysis method, the aspects and the factors of the model are verified. In the next step, 146 countries were ranked and compared by the use of this model. Finally in each of the 7 factors, Iran’s status was assigned and by the use of the T-Test on the average scores of all countries, the strengths and weaknesses of Iran’s national Innovation system were determined and suggestions for improvement were represented.