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The outlines of innovation policy in the capability approach

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  • Bajmócy, Zoltán
  • Gébert, Judit

Abstract

Innovation policies are usually expected to contribute to growth in economic performance, in productivity, or in employment. These ultimate objectives are formulated in the political arena; therefore, the examination of their adequacy is beyond the scope of innovation studies. However, these aims are increasingly questioned in other fields of economics. The present paper builds on one of the most influential criticisms of the dominating growth-centred traditions of economics: Amartya Sen's capability approach. We analyze the set of information that would be required for the design, implementation and evaluation of innovation policy if it relied on the capability approach, and how this informational basis would differ from that of the growth centred view. We conclude that switching to the capability approach would result in a sea-change, but the systems of innovation approach, as a framework for analysis, would still be of good use.

Suggested Citation

  • Bajmócy, Zoltán & Gébert, Judit, 2014. "The outlines of innovation policy in the capability approach," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 93-102.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:38:y:2014:i:c:p:93-102
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2014.02.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Innovation policy; Informational basis; Systems of innovation; Capability approach; The case of food additives;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B59 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Other
    • I30 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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