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Science and Technology in Latin America and the Caribbean: An Overview

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  • Velho, Lea

    () (United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies)

Abstract

This paper presents and analyses a series of indicators of the state of S&T in Latin America and the Caribbean. In doing so it compares LAC countries among themselves as well as with the industrialised countries in order to identify trends concerning the closing or widening of gaps in the capacity to produce and utilise knowledge. The findings suggest that some LAC countries have created significant capacity in research but they have not been able to build virtuous links among the various relevant social actors involved in knowledge production and use. There are problems at both the supply and demand sides. Concerning the former, universities and public research institutes, which together perform almost 70% of R&D, have not created mechanisms to identify user needs and instead base their research agenda on scientific criteria dictated by international mainstream science. On the latter, there has not much demand on local R&D given that TNCs innovate on the basis of R&D conducted in the advanced countries and local private firms, in a bid to be competitive, also prefer to import foreign technology. Government initiated schemes to correct this imbalance - including provisions for public-private collaboration, science parks and firm level research training - have been largely unsuccessful. This state of affairs is largely due to the enactment of macroeconomic policies aimed at opening up the country to foreign competition and privatising state enterprises, without putting in place the necessary measures and incentives to guarantee the investment and to diminish the risks involved in R&D. Firm and focused government intervention is necessary if such trends are to be reversed. The most obvious sphere for intervention is creating a more just society in the region, and thus granting opportunity to education to social groups currently excluded. Other policies have more direct bearing on R&D and include incentives for private sector investment in R&D and hiring of researchers. Most of all, measures must be implemented by all relevant S&T actors in terms of strengthening links among themselves

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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies in its series Discussion Papers with number 04.

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Date of creation: 2004
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Handle: RePEc:dgr:unuint:200404

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Related research

Keywords: Latin America; Caribbean; Science and Technology Indicators; Science and Technology Policy; Science and Technology;

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References

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  1. Clark, Norman & Hall, Andy & Sulaiman, Rasheed & Naik, Guru, 2003. "Research as Capacity Building: The Case of an NGO Facilitated Post-Harvest Innovation System for the Himalayan Hills," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(11), pages 1845-1863, November.
  2. Georghiou, Luke, 1998. "Global cooperation in research," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(6), pages 611-626, September.
  3. Arocena, Rodrigo & Sutz, Judith, 2001. "Changing knowledge production and Latin American universities," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 30(8), pages 1221-1234, October.
  4. Mario Cimoli & Nelson Correa, 2002. "Trade Openess and Technological Gaps in Latin America: a Low Growth Trap," LEM Papers Series 2002/14, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM), Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy.
  5. Rodrigo Arocena & Judith Sutz, 2000. "Looking At National Systems Of Innovation From The South," Industry & Innovation, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 7(1), pages 55-75.
  6. Alcorta, Ludovico & Peres, Wilson, 1998. "Innovation systems and technological specialization in Latin America and the Caribbean," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(7-8), pages 857-881, April.
  7. Bernardes, Americo Tristao & Albuquerque, Eduardo da Motta e, 2003. "Cross-over, thresholds, and interactions between science and technology: lessons for less-developed countries," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 865-885, May.
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Cited by:
  1. Bronwyn Hall & Alessandro Maffioli, 2008. "Evaluating the impact of technology development funds in emerging economies: evidence from Latin America," European Journal of Development Research, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 172-198.
  2. Dirk Libaers, 2009. "Industry relationships of DoD-funded academics and institutional changes in the US university system," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 34(5), pages 474-489, October.

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