---
title: "What is a National Innovation System and Why Does it Matter?"
summary: |-
  A comprehensive innovation system is central to economic growth.
date: "2014-07-03"
issues: ["National Competitiveness"]
authors: ["Robert D. Atkinson"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2014/07/03/what-national-innovation-system-and-why-does-it-matter/"
---

# What is a National Innovation System and Why Does it Matter?

In the conventional view, innovation is something that just takes place idiosyncratically in “Silicon Valley garages” and research and development (R&D) laboratories. But in fact, a broad national innovation system (NIS), backed by specific government policies and significant federal investment are essential to the development of a successful innovation ecosystem.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2014/07/03/what-national-innovation-system-and-why-does-it-matter/*