To what extent do countries prioritize innovation in their national agenda?
The bulk of surveys centre on three main types of country centric innovation programs:
1. Government supported for economic prosperity, via direct budget funding or tax based incentives
2. Country culture initiated
3. Need based innovation, often government lead
With regard to (1) above, Japan and Nordic countries lead the charge, with government direct investment some of the highest levels as a percentage of GDP.
Regarding culture based innovation, the US (with the highest level of VC funding globally), India and more recently China have the strength of industry and community based innovation effort.
Finally, Chile often appears as the leader on need based innovation, with sources citing the water based capture from fog as being a leading achievement in a country which is one of the driest on earth.
References:
http://www.europe-innova.eu/web/guest;jsessionid=C85B150B25C673DE4BA6D60B1060FF25
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/The_productivity_imperative_2630
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/The_great_rebalancing_2627
http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/How_to_optimize_knowledge_sharing_in_a_factory_network_2434
http://www.siliconvalley.um.dk/en/menu/About+Us/
http://blog.mtviggy.com/2010/06/07/top-10-most-innovative-countries/