How agricultural research systems shape a technological regime that develops genetic engineering but locks out agroecological innovations
Abstract
Agricultural science and technology (S&T) is under great scrutiny. Reorientation towards more holistic approaches, including agroecology, has recently been backed by a global international assessment of agriculture S&T for development (IAASTD). Understanding the past and current trends of agricultural S&T is crucial if such recommendations are to be implemented. This paper shows how the concepts of technological paradigms and trajectories can help analyse the agricultural S&T landscape and dynamics. Genetic engineering and agroecology can be usefully analysed as two different technological paradigms, even though they have not been equally successful in influencing agricultural research. We used a Systems of Innovation (SI) approach to identify the determinants of innovation (the factors that influence research choices) within agricultural research systems. The influence of each determinant is systematically described (e.g. funding priorities, scientists' cognitive and cultural routines etc.). As a result of their interactions, these determinants construct a technological regime and a lock-in situation that hinders the development of agroecological engineering. Issues linked to breaking out of this lock-in situation are finally discussed.Download Info
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Bibliographic Info
Article provided by Elsevier in its journal Research Policy.
Volume (Year): 38 (2009)
Issue (Month): 6 (July)
Pages: 971-983
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Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:38:y:2009:i:6:p:971-983
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For corrections or technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: (Jeroen Loos).
Related research
Keywords: Technological trajectories Evolutionary economics Transgenic plants Lock-in Path dependence;References
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Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.Cited by:
- Les Levidow & Katerina Psarikidou, 2011. "Food Relocalization for Environmental Sustainability in Cumbria," Sustainability, MDPI, Open Access Journal, vol. 3(4), pages 692-719, April.
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