Government as an Enabler of Innovation and a Catalyst of Growth

Without order, nothing exists. Without chaos, nothing evolves.

Jedi Mind Tricks

Technology continues to change rapidly. Similar to the rapid development of the first Industrial Revolution, the fourth Industrial Revolution promises to empower humanity, alter lifestyles, and catalyze economic growth while it also fuels fears and stimulates misconceptions. As in the previous industrial revolutions, governments have the ability to enable the change-makers and their innovations and help humanity adapt to the changes. How? Government can enable innovation by being open to providing the needed platforms and connections to companies, particularly start-ups, leading to evidence based policy development and the creation of an ecosystem which catalyzes growth. Ultimately as an enabler of innovation and a catalyst for growth, government regulators would have to be willing to allow the changes needed to initiate adaptation.

Innovators and Politicians

The world’s innovators – the scientists, the entrepreneurs, the engineers, etc. – should be in continual dialogue with the world’s governments – the politicians and regulators. When governments don’t understand the latest technology, the people they serve often don’t either, and there arises fear, panic, and rejection. An ongoing dialogue between the innovators and the politicians can aid in the latter’s ability to communicate the technology and the changes it brings as well as create intelligent policies surrounding it.

Governmental regulatory policies can encourage or suppress innovation. There are times that regulations stimulate growth and encourage positive changes in product, process, and information technology. At other times, regulations fail and stagnate growth, creating unnecessary obstacles, even when backed by the very best intentions of governments. By opening lines of communication, innovators and policymakers can come together and encourage the role of governments as enablers of innovation, promoting and sustaining the efforts of change-makers while encouraging growth, adaptation, and change.

Government’s Role in the Nurture of Public Sector Innovation

What should be the role of government as an enabler of innovation and catalyst for growth? Governments should play a crucial role in promoting innovation through the creation of environments which encourage new ways of thinking in the development of framing problems and crafting solutions. In other words, governments need to develop environments conducive to innovation and focused regulations which protect but don’t prohibit change in meeting its citizenry’s needs. Government policy should overcome barriers and motivate and strengthen a company’s capacity to innovate for the value to society and the good of humanity.

Renovating Policy Design

Government policy design needs a makeover! A new, improved, and innovative government policy redesign could easily be achieved with sound input from a diverse sampling of individuals, businesses, and organizations. In inquiring this way, policy and regulations become focused on the needs of the people, not special interests, corporate giants, or politicians.

Antiquated policy-making and archaic regulations can be revamped with a focus on communities to allow the innovative spirit to spread across society replacing stagnant bureaucracies. Government and innovation have often been in opposition, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Governments and politicians can become enablers of innovation and catalyst for growth among their citizens through positive change, not simply maintaining the status quo. With innovation, opportunities are endless, and solutions are achievable through unique, new advancements.

Examples of government and innovation working harmoniously can be seen across the U.S. including what Terrance Smith is doing in Mobile, AL, Tracy Colunga is working on in Long Beach, CA, and Travis Sheridan out of St. Louis , IL. The work we are attempting through the Sacramento Urban Technology Lab (SUTL) is intended to catalyze new innovations, building on and attracting the innovators of the world. A state like California and a city like Sacramento (capitol of the 5th largest global economy) are the perfect places to not be shy. Emerging technologies (AI, IoT, robotics, and more) promise to improve the lives of consumers and their communities. As a result, SUTL, in conjunction with the Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED), are working toward programming which supports innovation in mobility, clean technology and sustainability, food systems, IoT and cybersecurity, workforce development, life science and health IT, and Civic Technology. The goal is to transform our communities with urban innovation, workforce training, and economic growth and deliver equal access to both the opportunities and benefits of emerging innovative technologies.

All over the world, governments are facing crises of all kinds, and innovators are the likely solutions. To achieve the desired change – economic growth, budget control, and equitable resources for all citizens – the disconnect between government and innovation must end. Governments and innovators must join forces to create a successful ecosystem which encourages growth and positive change for the people of the world.