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New directions in research and technology policy: Identifying the key issues

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Abstract

This paper outlines a conceptual framework and some empirical objectives for analytical work on research and innovation policy. It sketches some major changes which have occurred in our understanding of the links between science, innovation and technological change over the past twenty years, considers their policy implications, and then suggests some core priorities for research in such fields as research policy studies, growth economics, the economics of technological change, innovation and firm studies, etc. The basic problem is to explore the policy implications of the move to a knowledge-based economy. This has a number of dimensions, which at a minimum include basic science policy, technology policies aimed at invention and innovation, diffusion policies, and all policies related to the adoption of new technologies technology policy aspects of industrial and regional policies human capital, human resources and mobility, including all aspects of education and training This paper concerns only parts of these issues; it focuses on the conceptual basis, structure and content of a research programme directed towards industrial innovation and diffusion policy, at national and regional levels. Over the past two decades, social scientists in a range of fields have in effect carried out a major programme of research on science, technology and innovation. If there is any unity in this research, it is simply the view that these activities are social and economic processes, not simply technical processes of discovery and invention. The argument here is that this research has reached the stage where it is both necessary and possible to rethink the rationale, objectives and instruments of policies in the general areas of science, technology, innovation and industrial change. At the same time, this background research work opens up new areas of policy-relevant questions. This paper therefore overviews some of the main themes in modern research in innovation and technological change, focusing on their implications for policy. How does recent research change our conceptions of the appropriate objectives and methods of science and technology policy? Against this background, what are the main unresolved problems facing policy-makers over the next ten years? What kinds of conclusions can we draw regarding research priorities and objectives for policy researchers in the years ahead? After discussing these issues, the next section explores how these problems can be investigated.

Suggested Citation

  • Keith Smith, "undated". "New directions in research and technology policy: Identifying the key issues," STEP Report series 199401, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:stp:stepre:1994r01
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    Cited by:

    1. Arne Isaksen & Bjørn T. Asheim, "undated". "Location, agglomeration and innovation: Towards regional innovation systems in Norway?," STEP Report series 199613, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    2. Andrey S. Mikhaylov, 2016. "Approaches to the Identification of the Boundaries of Spatial Networks as Multidimensional Territorial Socio-economic Systems," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 6(4), pages 1696-1701.
    3. Johan Hauknes & Per M. Koch, "undated". "Two sides – one coin?," STEP Report series 200318, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    4. Arne Isaksen, "undated". "Regionalisation and regional clusters as development strategies in a global economy," STEP Report series 199801, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    5. David Doloreux, 2003. "Regional networks of small and medium sized enterprises: evidence from the Metropolitan Area of Ottawa in Canada1," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(2), pages 173-189, January.
    6. Kari Kristinsson & Rekha Rao, 2008. "Interactive Learning or Technology Transfer as a Way to Catch-Up? Analysing the Wind Energy Industry in Denmark and India," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 297-320.
    7. Isaksen, Arne, 1999. "Evaluation of a regional innovation programme: the Innovation and New Technology Programme in Northern Norway," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 83-90.
    8. Costantini, Valeria & Crespi, Francesco & Palma, Alessandro, 2017. "Characterizing the policy mix and its impact on eco-innovation: A patent analysis of energy-efficient technologies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 799-819.
    9. Heidrun C. Hoppe & Wilhelm Pfähler, 2001. "Ökonomie der Grundlagenforschung und Wissenschaftspolitik," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 2(2), pages 125-144, May.
    10. Arne Isaksen, "undated". "Location and innovation. Geographical variations in innovative activity in Norwegian manufacturing industry," STEP Report series 199603, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    11. Bjørn T. Asheim, 2007. "Industrial Districts as ‘Learning Regions’: A Condition for Prosperity," Chapters, in: Roel Rutten & Frans Boekema (ed.), The Learning Region, chapter 4, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    12. Fiorenza Belussi & Alessia Sammarra & Silvia Rita Sedita, 2007. "Managing Long Distance and Localized Learning in the Emilia Romagna Life Science Cluster," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(5), pages 665-692, September.
    13. Benner, Maximilian, 2009. "What do we know about clusters? In search of effective cluster policies," MPRA Paper 43848, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2009.
    14. Flanagan, Kieron & Uyarra, Elvira & Laranja, Manuel, 2010. "The ‘policy mix’ for innovation: rethinking innovation policy in a multi-level, multi-actor context," MPRA Paper 23567, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. Flanagan, Kieron & Uyarra, Elvira & Laranja, Manuel, 2011. "Reconceptualising the 'policy mix' for innovation," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 702-713, June.
    16. Arne Isaksen, "undated". "Regional Clusters and Competitiveness: the Norwegian Case," STEP Report series 199616, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    17. Marianne Broch & Per M. Koch & Siri Aanstad, "undated". "Nye virkemidler for innovasjon – hva gjøres i andre land?," STEP Report series 200209, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    18. Espen Dietrichs, "undated". "Adopting a 'high-tech' policy in a 'low-tech' industry. The case of aquaculture," STEP Report series 199502, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    19. Wolfgang Polt & Manfred Paier & Andreas Schibany & Helmut Gassler & Gernot Hutschenreiter & Norbert Knoll & Hannes Leo & Michael Peneder, 1999. "Österreichischer Technologiebericht 1999," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 8332.
    20. Per M. Koch & Johan Hauknes, "undated". "Learning two coins one-side-trick Interaction of social science and policy – On the importance of policy learning," STEP Report series 200319, The STEP Group, Studies in technology, innovation and economic policy.
    21. Rasim Akpinar & Kamil Taşçi & Mehmet Emin Özsan, 2015. "Innovative and Competitive Structure of Regional Economies in Turkey," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(2), pages 337-349, June.
    22. Seunghwan Oh & Dongnyok Shim & Daeho Lee, 2017. "Evaluation Of Complementarity Effect Of Innovation Policies: Venture Certification And Inno-Biz Certification In Korea," The Singapore Economic Review (SER), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 65(02), pages 385-402, February.
    23. Kanger, Laur & Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Noorkõiv, Martin, 2020. "Six policy intervention points for sustainability transitions: A conceptual framework and a systematic literature review," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(7).
    24. Valeria Costantini & Francesco Crespi & Alessandro Palma, 2015. "Characterizing the policy mix and its impact on eco-innovation in energy-efficient technologies," SEEDS Working Papers 1115, SEEDS, Sustainability Environmental Economics and Dynamics Studies, revised Jun 2015.
    25. Anna J. Wieczorek & Marko P. Hekkert & Ruud E.H.M. Smits, 2009. "Contemporary Innovation Policy and Instruments: Challenges and Implications," Innovation Studies Utrecht (ISU) working paper series 09-12, Utrecht University, Department of Innovation Studies, revised Jul 2009.

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