Challenges for service innovation in developing countries The cases of Mexico and Latin America

Following the methodology of two prospective studies, one by Martin (2016) and the other by Djellal and Gallouj (2016), this article’s proposed agenda comprises 22 challenges faced by studies of innovation and service innovation in the context of Mexico and across Latin America. Highlighting certain specific economic and social problems in Mexico and across Latin America, it presents a review of the evolution of innovation thinking. Four scenarios have been designed, towards which economies may evolve, depending on how the challenges posed are taken up: 1) Regional development and inclusive growth, 2) Social and economic polarization, 3) Regional disparity with income distribution, 4) Regional development and income inequality.