SUPPORTING POLICIES FOR INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY - AWARENESS AND EXPLOITING OPPORTUNITIES FROM SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Abstract

Research survey of 343 enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City was conducted to assess awareness and exploit opportunities from innovation-supporting policies. The results show that, although the level of awareness of business managers on innovation-supporting policies is quite high, the level of exploiting opportunities from these policies is lower than the awareness level. This disparity stems from barriers and the ability of enterprises to access and exploit opportunities from innovation support policies. On that basis, the study proposes a number of solutions to narrow this gap such as strengthening innovation capacity of enterprises, linking institutes/ universities with enterprises in research and application of technology, strengthen intellectual property protection activities, provide training support and seek funding sources for enterprises to carry out innovation activities.