Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify the conditions that are necessary for a paradigm shift in economic and ecological development in both public and private efforts to support and enhance the development of new potential niche of sustainable and innovative sectors. Thus, by exploring the new modes of coordination and cooperation between the actors, the ultimate aim is to build an ecological sustainability model of innovation that would emerge from which political economy policies can be combined with niche investments that are developing in new sectors related to sustainability, which can be applied to the Tunisian case in the transition from autocratic to democratic power. The final aim is to build a viable economic model of innovation for Tunisia in order to support and enhance the development of sustainable sectors while responding to social and economic constraints. A conceptual framework is set out to guide the policies that can create a socially and ecologically sustainable prosperity that provides employment for all. The empirical results in this study show a positive relationship between the national efforts to integrate the sustainable development issue with economic growth. At the same time, the results show a negative relationship between carbon emission damage on environment and economic growth, implying there have been effective sustainability efforts despite heavy use of traditional fossil fuels for energy. The results are only tentative with this evaluation suggesting that the use of more specific indicators is required. Further, there is a need in the short-term for more efficient use of non-renewables, while a medium-term focus on a transition (or paradigm shift) to renewable energy sources.
Keywords: eco-innovation; transition phase; paradigm shift; innovation systems
JEL codes: F63, O33, Q55
