Web indicators for complex innovation systems

The Web and innovation systems are interacting complex systems that impact each other. Web indicators used to inform decision-makers about the impact they are having on each must be reproducible and relevant. Web metrics research is young and best-practice methodologies for producing robust indicators are evolving. This study describes a methodology for producing robust indicators of the web presence of the European and Canadian innovation systems. It demonstrates that the emergent properties and scaling characteristics expected of complex systems are captured by these indicators. It illustrates how these indicators can be used to measure the amount of recognition a nation or province’s web presence receives from other nations and provinces in their innovation systems.