Conclusion

As we have argued, quality infrastructure enhances the innovation capability of an economy and also contributes importantly to the improvement of emerg-ing innovation systems, both by increasemerg-ing the competences and capabilities of institutions and by supporting networks and the development of linkages

between organizations. In an initial stage, the proactive intervention of public institutions is even more important to promote the emergence of networks, to deepen the ties between institutions, and to invest in fields of public concern.

Since a functioning quality infrastructure forms a supportive structure for a socially inclusive market-based IS, policymakers should care about its ap-propriate design and consider the strengthening of its institutions in order to contribute to the accomplishment of a range of development goals. Improved innovation capability supports national development strategies in response to a context of a knowledge-based economy, continued globalization processes and increasing concerns of societies regarding consumer and environmental protection.

Public policy has a vital role to play in the organization of a well-functioning national quality infrastructure. Firstly, the necessary regulatory framework can only be developed and effectively enforced by actors with leg-islative power. Public authorities are required for the integration of the national quality infrastructure in the international quality infrastructure - a vital step for the reduction of technical barriers to trade, and thereby to improve the access of local companies to global markets and value chains.

Secondly, there is a public interest in ensuring that quality infrastructure institutions adhere to certain principles, as for instance transparency, openness and consensus in the process of standardization, as it may be subject to private attempts of strategically raising barriers to competitors by regulatory capture or de facto industry standardization, which in consequence may seriously limit competition and hinder innovation.

Thirdly, there are high fixed costs associated with research in metrology and small marginal costs for the spreading of the developed knowledge, suggesting proactive public intervention and funding in this field. But, as this kind of investments may be very high for developing countries, the development of a national quality infrastructure should be gradual, and start by those sectors that are strategically important for a country’s economy while requiring high connectivity between institutions and sectors of activity.

The impact of quality infrastructure policies on emerging innovation sys-tems requires further investigation. The realization of empirical case studies would be particularly useful to further develop the theory here proposed and provide a solid basis for policy recommendations.

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