State Mechanisms for Stimulating Innovative Activities

Abstract

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that innovation is now becoming a key driver of economic advancement in the developing world. This provides an opportunity to generate pro-poor growth, increase output, raise welfare levels with limited resources. Innovation, as a creative but pragmatic response to constraints of all kinds, and new technological and organisational solutions that have the ability to emerge in a specific context, is therefore important not only for economic growth but also for the development itself. Innovation policy requires action in many different areas, such as education, finance or science and technology, which require "a holistic government". The purpose of the study is to reveal the key mechanisms for stimulating innovation-related activities from the perspective of the state, to propose recommendations aimed at developing innovation activities in Azerbaijan and improving the mechanism that provides stimulating actions for innovation activities on the part of the state. The study is based on academic papers by European, American, Russian and other specialists dealing with innovations and the stimulation of innovation from a governmental perspective, and on international statistical data. The following methods were used in the study: synthesis, comparison, economic and statistical analysis, generalisation and interpretation of the findings, graphical representation of the data. The findings of this study enabled the development of recommendations based on the analysis to improve the government's work with different organisations involved in developing innovations in different sectors and areas of activity.

Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Working from home arrangements are expected to continue for many workplaces and occupations even after the pandemic. The survey conducted by Statistics Canada showed that 80% of employees would like to work at least half of their hours from home once the pandemic is over 19 . Our study reinforced that WFH is not associated with increased absenteeism and presenteeism among caregivers and patients who already have high work productivity loss 22–27 .…”

“…Smite et al 8 reviewed 13 surveys conducted in different countries to measure the changes in perceived productivity among the software engineers during the pandemic; in four surveys, most respondents reported decreased productivity; in six surveys, most respondents reported no changes; and in three surveys, most respondents reported increased productivity. Based on the Labour Force Survey conducted by Statistics Canada, 90% of employees who usually worked outside the home before the pandemic but worked most of their hours at home during February 14 to 20, 2021, reported being at least as productive as they were in their usual workplace (58% the same and 32% more productive) 19 . Awada et al 9 found that the overall perception of productivity did not change compared with in-office productivity before the pandemic among survey respondents who were WFH in the United States.…”