摘要
Despite many initiatives to help foster innovation over the last decade,Bahrain has yet to realise its full potential,indicated by low levels of published research,patent registrations,and entrepreneurial activities.The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of sustainable innovation for economic recovery.This study aimed to identify the critical factors needed to stimulate innovation,as well as any barriers.Using a case study approach,emerging findings from an online survey of participants from a range of private and government organizations were explored through in-depth interviews with selected"innovation influencers".It was found that the economic and cultural environments in Bahrain favor a conservative approach to innovation,with the opening of new market opportunities with existing products the most reported form applied.The need for a sustainable economic recovery post-pandemic has raised awareness of the importance of innovation in all its forms.The environmental factors influencing innovation are charted in an ecosystem model,with effective leadership and a national strategy identified as key components.The Innovation Ecosystem derived from this case study of Bahrain has wider applicability as a benchmarking framework.By mapping the local context against framework elements,identified gaps can usefully inform a sustainable innovation strategy at both a national and organizational level.