Clarivate Analytics has unveiled the Top 100 Global Innovators 2024. The Top 100 Global Innovators methodology uses a complete comparative analysis of 60 million inventions. On page 19, an especially compelling image awaits, projecting the most innovative countries for the years 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028. A concerning trend emerges: all six top European countries are poised to decline in this forecasted ranking https://clarivate.com/blog/top-100-global-innovators-for-2024-revealed-report/
In 2021, I highlighted a paper revealing that research expenditure isn't the primary predictor of a country's scientific impact. Rather, good governance, assessed through six indicators, including the absence of corruption, emerged as the most influential factor https://pacheco-torgal.blogspot.com/2021/04/is-culture-related-to-strong-science.html In light of the observed and undeniable decline in European innovation, this prompts a deeper reflection: What underlying factors are contributing to this worrying trend ?
Although there may be various reasons why European top companies lag behind their counterparts in South Korea, Japan, and China in terms of innovation I sincerely hope that the officials of the European Commission refrain from echoing the misguided statement published in The Economist, which I have criticized here https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-economistlavish-public-support-for.html
When it comes to nurturing innovation in European universities, the most effective approach is to emulate Sweden's model and reinstate the professor's privilege. The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that abolishing this privilege is not only harmful but also counterproductive. Furthermore, replacing the founder professor, with a professional CEO significantly undermines innovation.
PS - Check also the content of the previous post-which deals with practical advice for reversing the decline in scientific disruption-It opens with a mention of a paper by researchers from South Korea who analysed the "Asians´ self-deprecating belief that they are not as creative as Westerners" https://19-pacheco-torgal-19.blogspot.com/2024/02/10-practical-pieces-of-advice-for.html
