The Fourteenth Globelics Conference, held in Bandung, Indonesia, from 12 to 14 October 2016, was organized under the theme “Innovation, Creativity and Development: Strategies for Inclusive Growth in Emerging Economies.” Hosted by the Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung – ITB), the conference reflected the growing prominence of Asia within international innovation research and provided a platform for examining how creativity, technological capabilities, and innovation systems can contribute to inclusive economic transformation. More than 300 participants from universities, research institutes, government agencies, and international organizations gathered to exchange experiences and discuss development strategies suited to emerging economies.
The successful organization of the conference was led by Yanuar Nugroho of the Bandung Institute of Technology, with substantial support from Indonesia’s Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education. Their efforts positioned Indonesia at the center of contemporary debates on innovation policy and strengthened cooperation between national institutions and the international Globelics community. Beyond coordinating the academic programme, the organizing committee promoted active participation from Indonesian researchers and policymakers, ensuring that local experiences contributed meaningfully to global discussions on innovation and development.
The scientific programme was guided by an internationally recognized committee composed of many of the leading scholars in innovation studies. Bengt-Åke Lundvall of Aalborg University, Richard Nelson of Columbia University, Gabriela Dutrénit of the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, José Eduardo Cassiolato of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, and Judith Sutz of the University of the Republic provided the academic leadership that has long characterized the Globelics network. In addition to overseeing the scientific quality of the conference, they encouraged broad participation by early-career researchers, reinforcing one of Globelics’ principal objectives: strengthening research capacity and fostering international collaboration across generations of scholars.
The keynote sessions combined theoretical reflection with practical policy perspectives. Bengt-Åke Lundvall opened the conference by revisiting the evolution of innovation systems research and discussing its continuing relevance for achieving inclusive development. Jomo Kwame Sundaram, one of the leading development economists from Malaysia, examined the relationship between inequality, structural transformation, and sustainable growth, arguing that innovation policies should be closely linked to broader development strategies. Representing Latin America, Helena Maria Martins Lastres of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and RedeSist highlighted the contribution of regional innovation systems to productive development, while Mohamad Nasir, Indonesia’s Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, presented the country’s priorities for strengthening national science, technology, and innovation policies.
Throughout the conference, parallel sessions examined a broad spectrum of issues related to innovation and development. Presentations addressed industrial upgrading, agricultural innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability transitions, university–industry collaboration, science and technology policy, and the role of higher education in strengthening national innovation systems. These discussions emphasized that innovation is generated through continuous interaction among firms, governments, universities, and society, requiring institutional environments that encourage collaboration, learning, and knowledge diffusion.
Particular attention was devoted to the experiences of emerging Asian economies. Shulin Gu presented China’s evolving innovation trajectory and the institutional factors supporting its technological transformation, while Keun Lee discussed industrial catch-up strategies and capability building based on South Korea’s development experience. Their contributions illustrated the diversity of innovation pathways across Asia and demonstrated how different policy approaches can foster technological upgrading under distinct economic and institutional conditions. These comparative analyses also reinforced Globelics’ long-standing commitment to promoting dialogue among countries of the Global South.
Beyond the formal sessions, the Bandung conference strengthened cooperation among researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners through workshops, networking activities, and interdisciplinary exchanges. These interactions encouraged new research collaborations while providing younger scholars with opportunities to engage directly with internationally recognized experts. The emphasis on capacity building and knowledge sharing reflected one of the network’s defining characteristics: creating lasting academic partnerships that extend well beyond the conference itself.
The Fourteenth Globelics Conference therefore represented more than a forum for presenting academic research. By bringing together global expertise and Indonesia’s own innovation experience, the meeting demonstrated how creativity, institutional learning, and collaborative innovation systems can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. At the same time, it reinforced Asia’s growing influence within the Globelics community and expanded international dialogue on the role of innovation in addressing the economic and social challenges faced by emerging economies.