Effectiveness of National Innovation System of Sri Lanka: examining the roles of universities, S&T institutions and industry

Abstract

After resolving internal conflicts in 2009, Sri Lanka experienced significant economic growth through infrastructure development and other policy initiatives. However, the pace of growth has since decelerated, and the country now faces numerous challenges related to the sustainability of its progress. Scholars and policymakers have identified a primary issue: the need for a systematic approach to the country’s development models. Consequently, this study was conducted to comprehensively examine the policy inputs necessary for optimizing the National Innovation System (NIS) in Sri Lanka, focusing on the three main actors: universities, S&T institutions, and industry. A robust conceptual model was formulated by exploring the existing literature on NIS, their functions, and roles, with particular emphasis on the imperatives of NIS in developing countries. This study aims to understand the roles of these three main actors within NIS, evaluate the effectiveness of their functions, and assess the strength of the networking relationships among them. Based on this conceptual framework, the empirical phase of the study was structured and implemented. This research proposes several policy recommendations based on data analysis to enhance the three primary NIS actors’ role effectiveness and strengthen their network relationships, providing a solid foundation for future policy decisions.