A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Private-sector innovation processes in development cooperation: perspectives from Finnish technology enterprises




AuthorsHooli Lauri J

PublisherTAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Publication year2024

JournalInnovation and Development

Journal name in sourceINNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Journal acronymINNOV DEV

Volume14

Issue1

First page 7

Last page24

Number of pages18

ISSN2157-930X

eISSN2157-9318

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2021.1979719

Web address https://doi.org/10.1080/2157930X.2021.1979719

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/67619756


Abstract
The development community has become an important financer of innovation processes in the Global South. This research scrutinizes Finnish private enterprises receiving development assistance for their innovation processes, targeting the markets of the Global South. Beyond the critical rationales, there is a lack of contextual understanding about the development impacts of private sector - focused development cooperation. The research reveals that the private sector's role in development is heterogeneous and complex. Although, companies' involvement has brought innovations, new actors, and funding to development cooperation, it has only fragile ties to the conventional objectives of development - to reduce extreme poverty and inequality. Innovation activities of the Finnish companies focus on rather developed markets of middle-income countries and an educated wealthy minority. Local communities have minor involvement in the design, profit sharing, or value addition of such projects, and their main role is the consumption of end products.

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Last updated on 2025-14-02 at 10:42