Journal of Entrepreneurial Health Sciences and Innovation (JEHSI)™
Alignment and Consortia for Innovation and Regional Growth: Attenuating Critical Challenges Facing Functional Innovation Across Borders
Dr Gabriel Pulido-Cejudo1* and Peter Humphries2
1International Centre for Advancement of Health Regional Innovation and Science, ICAHRIS
*corresponding author, gabriel.pulido-cejudo@icahris.org
2Canadian Federation of Breast Diseases, CFBD
Abstract
Powering functional innovation amongst Canada, Mexico and the USA is not a luxury; it is an urgent prerequisite to securing successful entrepreneurial ventures, to employing highly trained professionals and creative individuals and to enabling and fortifying our technological independence, capacity, economic diversity and strength throughout North America.
It has been firmly established and documented that Micro and Small Medium Size Enterprises (MSMEs) constitute the core of functional innovation and employability of highly trained professionals within the Life Sciences and related Light Industry Sectors (The Economist, Intelligence Unit, 2015).
Nonetheless, the long term growth, expansion and sustainability of MSMEs require a robust ecosystem encompassing technological and operational capabilities that can be shared amongst compatible MSMEs. This editorial article summarizes various critical interdependent supporting factors that influence and dictate the strength of technological and operational capabilities of such ecosystems.
According to the World Bank Group, in recent years, commendable infrastructure investments have reached an estimated US$30-40 billion in support of functional technological ecosystems and pressing infrastructure priorities.
However, current and unrelenting challenges hinder the translation of these commendable infrastructure efforts into the creation of a robust and successful cluster of MSMEs capable of enhancing the capacity to create high-paying, stable jobs and regional economic prosperity.
As outlined during the recent input provided by ICAHRIS at the Forum on Advancing Innovation, Science and Technology Across North America in the context of the North America Leaders' Summit (Ottawa June 29, 2016), this article also summarizes some of the greatest challenges directly affecting sustainable and functional innovation between Canada, Mexico and the United States within the Life Sciences and related Light Industries. Six challenges and corresponding recommendations, including the creation of a Carbon Tax Trilateral Innovation Fund, are provided.
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© 2016 JEHSI, http://doi.org/10.21964/JEHSI-00001