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Strategic approaches to science and technology in development

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  • Watson, Robert
  • Crawford, Michael
  • Farley, Sara

Abstract

Watson, Crawford, and Farley examine the ways in which science and technology (S&T) support poverty alleviation and economic development and how these themes have been given emphasis or short shrift in various areas of the World Bank's work. Central to their thesis is the now well-established argument that development will increasingly depend on a country's ability to understand, interpret, select, adapt, use, transmit, diffuse, produce, and commercialize scientific and technological knowledge in ways appropriate to its culture, aspirations, and level of development. The authors go beyond this tenet, analyzing the importance of S&T for development within specific sectors. They present policy options for enhancing the effectiveness of S&T systems in developing countries, review previous experience of the World Bank and other donors in supporting S&T, and suggest changes that the World Bank and its partners can adopt to increase the impact of the work currently undertaken in S&T. The authors'main messages are: 1) S&T has always been important for development, but the unprecedented pace of advancement of scientific knowledge is rapidly creating new opportunities for and threats to development. 2) Most developing countries are largely unprepared to deal with the changes that S&T advancement will bring. 3) The World Bank's numerous actions in various domains of S&T could be more effective in producing the needed capacity improvements in client countries. 4) The World Bank could have a greater impact if it paid increased attention to S&T in education, health, rural development, private sector development, and the environment. The strategy emphasizes four S&T policy areas: education and human resources development, the private sector, the public sector, and information communications technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Watson, Robert & Crawford, Michael & Farley, Sara, 2003. "Strategic approaches to science and technology in development," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3026, The World Bank.
  • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:3026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Paarlberg, Robert L., 2000. "Governing the GM crop revolution," 2020 vision briefs 68, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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    Cited by:

    1. Ibrahim Akoum, 2016. "Research, Development and Innovation in Malaysia: Elements of an Effective Growth Model," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 6(7), pages 390-403, July.
    2. World Bank, 2007. "Building Knowledge Economies : Advanced Strategies for Development," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6853, December.
    3. Ceausescu Ionut, 2013. "Theoretical And Practical Considerations Regarding The Importance Of Investment In Technology And Information In The Process Of Economic Growth," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1, pages 124-127, February.
    4. Alfred Watkins & Michael Ehst, 2008. "Science, Technology, and Innovation : Capacity Building for Sustainable Growth and Poverty Reduction," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6418, December.
    5. Barry Bozeman & Catherine Slade & Paul Hirsch, 2011. "Inequity in the distribution of science and technology outcomes: a conceptual model," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 44(3), pages 231-248, September.
    6. Alina HALLER, 2020. "From Classical And Neoclassical Economic Growth To Degrowth In Europe. Challenges For Public Administration," REVISTA ADMINISTRATIE SI MANAGEMENT PUBLIC, Faculty of Administration and Public Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 2020(34), pages 150-170, June.
    7. Wight, Daniel & Ahikire, Josephine & Kwesiga, Joy C., 2014. "Consultancy research as a barrier to strengthening social science research capacity in Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 32-40.

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