Public policy for grassroots innovations initiatives: lessons learned from Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ng, B.K., Mohamad, Z.F., Chandran, V.G.R.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: HB Economic Theory; Q Science (General); T Technology (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/19392/1/Public_policy_for_grassroots_innovations_initiatives.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/19392/

Promoting and upscaling grassroots innovations require a specific public policy framework that appreciate the fundamental values of niche-specific innovations. These values are locally socio-cultural embedded and evolve over the different stages of innovation. In this respect. the nature of grassroots innovations is seemed evolves from organic- to mechanical-form; and !Tom self-satisfaction to market oriented. This paper argues that level-specific policy instruments need to be carefully formulated to facilitate the smooth transition of the various stages of grassroots innovations without jeopardising its' real values. The uniqueness of grassroots innovations particularly at the early stage should be upheld as it is the essence of the spirit of poor as providers in grassroots innovations movement. The four case studies on Malaysian grassroots innovators who have experienced the various stages of innovation otter important lessons on how agents managing grassroots innovations should target in making the intervention successful.