This paper presents a framework for guiding policy-makers intervening in emerging innovation systems in ‘catching-up’ countries. The process whereby the central policy issues are identified rests on the notion that there are seven key processes, or ‘functions’, involved in the formation of such systems and that these processes can be empirically studied. A ‘functional approach’ is argued to be helpful in finding ‘system weaknesses’ that can act as focusing mechanisms for policy-makers. An illustrative case from Germany is followed by an analysis of emerging innovation systems in catching-up countries, in particular Brazil, Korea and Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]