Since 2007, INSEAD eLab is producing the Global Innovation Index (GII), recognizing the key role of innovation as a driver of economic growth and prosperity. The GII acknowledges the need for a broad horizontal vision of innovation that is applicable to both developed and emerging economies, with the inclusion of indicators that go beyond the traditional measures of innovation (such as the level of research and development in a given country). The GII is evolving into a valuable benchmarking tool to facilitate public-private dialogue, whereby policymakers, business leaders and other stakeholders can evaluate progress on a continual basis.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the United Nations, the Confederation of Indian Industry, Booz & Company and Alcatel-Lucent support INSEAD as Knowledge Partners in the elaboration of the GII. Knowledge Partners believe in the role of innovation in increasing the competitiveness of nations, enabling economic growth, driving societal changes and building the foundation of a country´s future. They are committed to producing a valuable and non-partisan resource, they provide input to the research underlying the GII and they contribute in the dissemination of results.

For the 2011 edition of the GII, an Advisory Board was set up. The Advisory Board is a select group of international practitioners and experts who bring unique knowledge and skills in the realm of innovation. Its members, while coming from diverse geographical and institutional backgrounds (IOs, public sector, NGOs, business and academia); participate in his or her personal capacity. The primary role of the Advisory Board is to advise on the research underlying the GII and assist as appropriate with the dissemination of the GII messages and results. We are privileged to have the following confirmed members:

• Khalid S. Al-Sultan, Rector of King Fahad University for Petroleum & Minerals of Saudi Arabia
• Daniele Archibugi, Technology Director at the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and Professor of Innovation at the University of London;
• Irina Bokova, Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO);
• Leonid Gokhberg, Vice-rector of the Higher School of Economics of Russia and Director of the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge;
• Rolf-Dieter Heuer, Director General of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN);
• Rolf Lehming, Director, Science & Engineering Indicators, U.S. National Science Foundation;
• Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow & President, Global Research Alliance, National Chemical Laboratory;
• Lynn St Amour, President and CEO of the Internet Society;
• Hamadoun Touré, Secretary General of the United Nations International Telecommunication Agency (ITU);

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission has researched extensively on the complexity of composite indicators ranking countries' performances along policy lines. For the 2011 edition, the JRC has agreed to perform a thorough robustness and sensitivity analysis of the Global Innovation Index. The recommendations from the JRC auditing report will be presented and taken into account in the final GII Report.

For additional information, click on the information server on composite indicators and ranking systems, here.