Where are innovation indicators, and their applications, going?

This paper reviews the current state of indicators of the activity of innovation and how they are presented for use in the policy process leading to a discussion of the development of new indicators, some outside of the business sector, which raises questions about the definition of innovation. This is followed by a review of plans for the evolution of innovation indicators and their use over the next few years. These plans, national and international, are diverse and this leads to a discussion of international organizations and forums which could facilitate progress towards new indicators and a better understanding of innovation systems.

JEL Classification: O30, O31, O35, O38, Z18

Keywords: Innovation indicators, definitions of innovation, development of innovation indicators