Improving the Russian Innovation System: Combining Model- and Narrative-based Approaches

Abstract

This article examines the role of state policy and institutional factors in using qualitative and quantitative approaches in the study of the development of the national innovation system. The relevance of the work is due to the limitations of econometric modeling in terms of including institutional variables that are poorly formalized. The use of narrative and institutional analysis allows for the consideration of historical, political, and cultural factors, the identification
of significant determinants of the innovation system, and the development of recommendations for innovation policy. In the first stage, a comparison of the conclusions of quantitative and qualitative approaches established that the factors in the development of the Russian innovation system partially overlap. However, narrative and institutional methods allowed for a deeper understanding of the financial factor (in terms of distribution mechanisms), infrastructure (in terms of its quality and the presence of specialists to work with it), and human resources (details about the specialization of staff). The analysis also allowed for the identification of additional factors in the Russian innovation system, such as temporal effects, demand, macroeconomic conditions, and the interaction of actors. In the second stage, a comparison of recommendations based on quantitative and qualitative approaches showed that the proposed measures in both cases generally coincide but differ significantly in the degree of detail. The results of narrative and institutional analysis show that to improve the cooperation of actors, it is recommended to synchronize the target performance indicators of all participants; to increase the accessibility of infrastructure – organize joint and remote access to it; and to increase trust in science and attract personnel – expand the coverage of this topic in the information space.