Innovation is not only about inputs, however. A region’s economy must translate these inputs into productive outcomes: employment in high-technology firms, greater output per worker, the creation of patents, to name a few. By examining the output indicators, one can explore how well your economy converts innovation inputs into performance. Because the index is not dealing with simple linear relationships, there is no direct cause-and-effect connection between inputs and outputs. The innovation index is designed to show the innovation process more clearly. The tool, in general, lets the practitioner explore innovation within your region by guiding questions and conversations.
