A Theory-driven Framework for Malaysia’s Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation and Economy (RDICE) Ecosystem

Malaysia’s aspiration to become an innovation-driven economy is hindered by fragmented RDICE (Research, Development, Innovation, Commercialisation and Economy) efforts, low commercialisation rates, and weak policy coordination. While previous research has examined theory-based RDICE ecosystem models in advanced economies such as South Korea, Finland, Germany, and Singapore, limited attention has been given to how emerging economies like Malaysia can contextualise these approaches amid institutional fragmentation and resource constraints. This gap underscores the need for an integrated, theory-informed RDICE framework tailored to national conditions. This study aims to analyse the theoretical foundations of RDICE, review global best practices, and conceptualise a RDICE eocsystem framework for Malaysia. Using a qualitative, library-based method, secondary data were analysed through textual and content analysis. Findings indicate that an effective RDICE ecosystem should be anchored in five complementary theories—National Innovation System, Mission-Oriented Innovation, Knowledge-Based Economy, Innovation Value Chain, and Integrated Governance. The proposed framework integrates inputs, actors, processes, outputs, and outcomes into three structural domains, and is expected to enhance policy coherence, strengthen industry–academia collaboration, accelerate commercialisation, and support Malaysia’s transition toward sustainable, knowledge-based economic growth.

RDICE; theories; governance; framework

1. Al-Mubaraki, H. M., & Busler, M. (2018). Challenges and opportunities of innovation and incubators as a tool for knowledge based economy. Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 6, 1-18. doi: https://10.1186/s13731-017-0075-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Anonymous. (2024, May 15, 2024). Implementation of RDICE: Over RM9 trillion to GDP by 2030. Bernama, Retrieved from https://suarasarawak.my/pelaksanaan-rdice-lebih-rm9-trilion-kepada-kdnk-menjelang-2030/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Anonymous. (2024, 29/4/2024). Malaysia's investment in R&D is still lagging behind. Bernama, Retrieved from https://bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=2292394 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ariffin, A. S., & Mahdzir, A. M. (2021). Development And Achievements Of Science, Technology & Innovation Policy In ASEAN Countries: A Comparative Analysis Of Malaysia In Transition Stage With Myanmar, Cambodia And Laos In Developing Stage. Journal of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 7(1), 56-61. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.11113/jostip.v7n1.67 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Benlaria, H., Almawishir, N. F. S., Saadaoui, S., Sanaa Mostafa Mohammed Mohammed, Abdulrahman, B. M. A., & Eltahir, b. A. E. (2023). The Moderating Role of Research and Development (R&D) Support in the Relationship between Entrepreneurship and per Capita Output—A Study on the GCCCountries. Economies 11, 162. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/economies11060162 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Budi, A. A., & Aldianto, L. (2020). Research and Development – Commercialization Bridge: A Refined Model The Asian Journal of Technology Management 13(1), 47-62. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/324148396.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Cai, Y., & Lattu, A. (2022). Triple Helix or Quadruple Helix: Which Model of Innovation to Choose for Empirical Studies? Minerva, 60(2), 257–280. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Edwards, J., & Thompson, C. (2022). Developing A Robust Framework For National Innovation Systems. Contemporary Journal of Management and Economic Research, 10(4), 2997-3007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Foster, L., Wiewiora, A., & Donnet, T. (2024). Integrating Knowledge Management and Governance for Innovation Outcomes: A New Framework for Managing Innovation in a Project Environment. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15, 7143-7170. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01399-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Gonçalves, R., & Silva, L. d. (2024). The advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation: challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. Globalization and Health, 20, 1-19. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01049-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hansen, M. T., & Birkinshaw, J. (2007). The innovation value chain. Harvard business review, 85(6), 121. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hashim, H. N. M., Khair, M. H. M., Mahmood, A., & Zakuan, Z. Z. M. (2021). Outbound Open Innovation Policy for Exploitation of Intellectual Creation, Design and Creativity in Malaysian Public Universities Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE) 16(4), 44-52. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Herzer, D. (2022). The impact of domestic and foreign R&D on TFP in developing countries. World Development, 151. doi: https://10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105754 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Idoko, I. P., David-Olusa, A., Badu, S. G., Okereke, E. K., Agaba, J. A., & Bashiru, O. (2024). The dual impact of AI and renewable energy in enhancing medicine for better diagnostics, drug discovery, and public health, Magna Scientia Advanced Biology and Pharmacy, 12(2), 99-127. https://doi.org/10.30574/msabp.2024.12.2.0048 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Jansen, D. (2007). Governance – An Integrated Theory: Springer Netherlands. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Janssen, M. J., Torrens, J., Wesseling, J. H., & Wanzenbo, I. (2021). The promises and premises of mission-oriented innovation policy—A reflection and ways forward. Science and Public Policy, 48(3), 438-444. doi: https://10.1093/scipol/scaa072 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Kattel, R., & Mazzucato, M. (2025). 4: Mission-oriented innovation policies in Europe: from the normative to the epistemic turn? : Elgar Online. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Koch, C. (2008). The superministry approach: Integrated governance of science, technology and innovation with contracted autonomy Science and Public Policy, 35(4), 253-264. doi: https://doi.org/10.3152/030234208X307792 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Kwon, H.-k. (2024). Globalization and the U.S. National Economy. In: Openness and Coordination: Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Larrue, P. (2021). The design and implementation of mission-oriented innovation policies. Paper presented at the OECD Science, Technology and Industry Policy Papers; Paris. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Lewis, P. (2021). The innovation systems approach: an Austrian and Ostromian perspective. The Review of Austrian Economics, 34, 97–114. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11138-020-00507-8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Llanos-Paredes, P. (2023). The effect of applied research institutes on invention: Evidence from the Fraunhofer centres in Europe Open Access. Research Evaluation, 32(3), 566-576. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/reseval/rvad028 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Lundvall, B.-Å. (2022). 43. National systems of innovation: Elgar Encyclopedia on the Economics of Knowledge and Innovation [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Malec, M., Stanczak, L., & Ricketts, B. (2020). Integrated Commercialization Model of Researchand Development Project Results. Management Systems in Production Engineering, 28(4), 228-239. doi: https://10.2478/mspe-2020-0033 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Mazzucato, M., Andreoni, A., & Conway, R. (2021). Mission-oriented innovation in the USA Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Mostafiz, M. I., Ahmed, F. U., Ibrahim, F., & Tarba, S. Y. (2024). Innovation and commercialisation: the role of the international dynamic marketing capability in Malaysian international entrepreneurial firms. International Marketing Review, 41(1), 199-236. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1108/IMR-10-2022-0241 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Muda, S., Mokhtar, M. Z., Amin, W. A. A. M., Sofian, A., & Halim, A. (2021). Developing Determinant Factors for Product Commercialization and Innovation in Malaysia, International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 15(9), 560. https://ww.ijicc.net/images/Vol_15/Iss_9/15944_Mokhtar_2021_E1_R.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Mukhtar, D. (2016). Implementation of technology driven policy initiatives in emerging economies: The case of Malaysia’s Commercialisation of Research and Development Fund. (PhD.). Nottingham Trent University [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Narayanan, S., & Yew-Wah, L. (2018). Innovation Policy in Malaysia. Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia. Retrieved from https://www.eria.org/uploads/media/6.ERIA_Innovation_Policy_ASEAN_Chapter_5.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Park, T., & Kim, J. Y. (2022). An exploratory study on innovation policy in eight Asian countries. Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 13(2), 273-303. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1108/JSTPM-03-2021-0036 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Rahim, N. A., Mohamed, Z. B., & Amrin, A. (2021). From Lab To Market: Challenges Faced By Academic Entrepreneur In Technology Transfer Pursuit. International Journal of Business and Society, 22(3), 1256-1268. Retrieved from https://eprints.utm.my/96399/1/NoorlizawatiAbdRahim2021_FromLabtoMarketChallengesFacedByAcademic.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Ramli, M. F., Majid, M., Ya’acob, F. F., & Badyalina, B. (2021). Barrier Towards Commercialisation of Research Findings Among Science and Engineering Academicians at Malaysian Public Universities. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(7), 824 - 839. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v11-i7/10020 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Satrovic, E., Muslija, A., Abul, S. J., Gligoric, D., & Dalwai, T. (2023). Interdependence between Gross Capital Formation, Public Expenditure on R&D and Innovation in Turkey. Journal of Balkan and Near Eastern Studies 23(1), 163-179. Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19448953.2020.1818027 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Shahidan, N. H., Latiff, A. S. A., & Wahab, S. A. (2025). Examining Issues and Challenges in the Commercialization of UniversityGenerated Intellectual Property Rights in Malaysia. ASEAN Entrepreneurship Journal (AEJ), 11(1), 25-39. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Singh, A. K. (2020). Technology Transfer and Commercialization Models and Policies in India, USA, China andMalaysia :A Conceptual Review. Asian Journal of Sociological Research 3(1), 19-45. Retrieved from https://www.journalsociology.com/index.php/AJSR/article/view/9/9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Sitenko, D. A., & Holienka, М. (2022). Analysis of the main forms and types of commercialization of R&D in developed countries. Buketov Business Review, 108(4), 126-134. Retrieved from https://bbr.buketov.edu.kz/index.php/economy-vestnik/article/view/806 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Soh, H. S., Koh, Y., & Aridi, A. (Eds.). (2023). Innovative Korea: Leveraging Innovation and Technology for Development: The World Bank. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Sorin-George, T. (2023). How The World's Most Innovative Countries Evolved In The Period 2020-2022 Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi” University of Târgu Jiu, Economy Series, 3, 138-143. Retrieved from https://www.utgjiu.ro/revista/ec/pdf/2023-03/17_TomaSorin2.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Stehr, N., Adolf, M., & Mast, J. L. (2020). Knowledge Society, Knowledge-Based Economy, and Innovation: Springer International Publishing. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Suhaimi, N. S., Halim, M. A. S. A., & Hashim, H. A. (2022). Commercialization of academic research: assessing the perception of academicians at a public university in Malaysia. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 14 (1), 59-76. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-04-2020-0071 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Tilahun, S., & Berhan, E. (2022). Innovation value chain: a systematic and narrative review. International Journal of Quality and Innovation, 6(1), 91-114. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Vokoun, M., & Dvouletý, O. (2025). International, national and sectoral determinants of innovation: evolutionary perspective from the Czech, German, Hungarian and Slovak community innovation survey data, Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research 38(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2022.2158309 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Vuong, G. T. H., Hong, N. B., & Nguyen, M. H. (2021). The Korean National Innovation System: An Overview, Experiences And Application In Vietnam International Workshop "Developing the Startup Ecosystem in a Changing World' Nhà xuất bản Lao Động 15-38 . Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/My-Nguyen-Thi-Nga-2/publication/370377763_Logistics_trong_thuong_mai_dien_tu_tai_Viet_Nam_Nghien_cuu_tai_Shopee/links/644d0bf55762c95ac3605c0e/Logistics-trong-thuong-mai-dien-tu-tai-Viet-Nam-Nghien-cuu-tai-Shopee.pdf#page=21 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Wagner, C., Poland, K. B., & Yan, X. (2021). Flows and Networks in Global Innovation System among Top R&D Nations. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Caroline-Wagner-2/... [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Wang, Q., Zhang, F., & Li, R. (2025). Artificial intelligence and sustainable development during urbanization: Perspectives on AI R&D innovation, AI infrastructure, and AI market advantage. Sustainable Development, 33(1), 1136-1156. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3150 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Wong, P.-K. (1999). National Innovation Systems for Rapid Technological Catch-up: An analytical framework and a comparative analysis of Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. Paper presented at the Paper to be presented at the DRUID Summer Conference on National Innovation Systems, Industrial Dynamics and Innovation Policy, Rebild, Denmark, June 9-12, 1999. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/32947502/wong_Druid1999-libre.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Yuen, Y. Y., & Ng, X. P. (2021). Enhancing innovation performance of small and medium enterprises in Malaysia. Management Science Letters 11, 887–894. doi: https://10.5267/j.msl.2020.10.010 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Yun, J.-K. (2021). A Study on the Policy Innovation Plan for Public Technology Commercialization. Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society, 22, 212-220. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar