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The Politics of Technological Upgrading: International Transfer to and Adaptation of GM Cotton in Argentina

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  • Arza, Valeria
  • van Zwanenberg, Patrick

Abstract

We describe patterns of international transfer to and adaptation of genetically modified (GM) cotton in Argentina, and ask whether political bargaining between the technology owner, a multinational enterprise (MNE), and host country actors may have influenced upgrading. We suggest that the MNE was able to use its exclusive capacity to upgrade GM cotton technologies as a negotiation tool to persuade host actors to change the rules that affected its multi-lines of business in the country. This implies wider policy scope to encourage technology upgrading; host actors could negotiate over a wider range of aspects of interest to MNEs.

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  • Arza, Valeria & van Zwanenberg, Patrick, 2014. "The Politics of Technological Upgrading: International Transfer to and Adaptation of GM Cotton in Argentina," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 521-534.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:59:y:2014:i:c:p:521-534
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.10.023
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    2. Qiao, Fangbin, 2015. "Fifteen Years of Bt Cotton in China: The Economic Impact and its Dynamics," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 177-185.
    3. Klara Fischer & Camilla Eriksson, 2016. "Social Science Studies on European and African Agriculture Compared: Bringing Together Different Strands of Academic Debate on GM Crops," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Petersen, Il-haam & Kruss, Glenda, 2021. "Universities as change agents in resource-poor local settings: An empirically grounded typology of engagement models," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    5. Samira Rousselière & Shyama V. Ramani & Damien Rousselière, 2021. "The organizational choice of technology transfer mode: Theory and application to the genetically modified plant industry," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(6), pages 1466-1476, September.
    6. Il-haam Petersen & Glenda Kruss & Nicole van Rheede, 2022. "Strengthening the university third mission through building community capabilities alongside university capabilities [In Search of a Developmental University: Community Engagement in Theory and Pra," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 49(6), pages 890-904.

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