Norway’s Innovation Ecosystem and the Pivot to Renewable Energy, With Hege Barnes

When it comes to national innovation ecosystems, Norway has been
a standout performer. After discovering oil, it vaulted from
being one of Europe’s poorest countries in the 1950s to become a
high-wage, high-cost nation with strengths in B2B products, heavy
industry, shipping, and shipbuilding. Now it is pivoting toward
renewable energy—including offshore wind and electric vehicle
technologies—while broadening and deepening its national
innovation ecosystem to encourage new firms in a range of
industries to scale up and compete globally. Rob and Jackie
discuss the secrets of Norway’s success with Hege Barnes,
regional director for the Americas at Innovation Norway.


Mentioned:


World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common
Future (New York: Oxford University Press, 1987), also known as
the Brundtland Report.

Colin Cunliff, “Omission Innovation: The Missing Element in
Most Countries’ Response to Climate Change” (ITIF, December
2018).

Stephen Ezell, Frank Spring, and Katarzyna Bitka, “The Global
Flourishing of National Innovation Foundations” (ITIF, April
2015).