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Innovation Systems and Technological Specialization in Latin America and the Caribbean

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  • Alcorta, Ludovico

    (United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies)

  • Peres, Wilson

    (Economic Commission for Latin America)

Abstract

Although most Latin American and Caribbean countries have greatly increased their exports during the early 1990s, the goal of moving towards higher value added products in their export structure is proving as elusive as during the import substitution industrialisation period. This paper brings together ideas about and indicators of the region's capacity to compete in advanced industries or introduce products in the international marketplace, particularly in comparison with the performance of the most developed countries (the Group of Seven), the Asian tigers (Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan), the potential Asian tigers (China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand) and the newly industrialised European countries (Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Turkey). It presents an index of the technological specialisation in the region's exports to the most sophisticated markets (i.e., the OECD countries) and accounts for variations in specialisation based on the performance of national systems of innovation attributes such as public policy, technological infrastructure, human capital formation, and the internal articulation of the system, as well as on the dynamics of investment in innovation, including aggregate expenditure on research and development (R & D) and its structure, and investment of human resources and enterprise. The paper addresses policy issues that impact on the region's performance with respect to investment. Specifically, it puts forward ideas regarding ways to tackle problems related to the lack of Schumpeterian entrepreneurs, asymmetrical information and the incentive system in the region's national systems of innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Alcorta, Ludovico & Peres, Wilson, 1995. "Innovation Systems and Technological Specialization in Latin America and the Caribbean," UNU-INTECH Discussion Paper Series 1995-09, United Nations University - INTECH.
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unuint:199509
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    File URL: https://www.merit.unu.edu/publications/discussion-papers/9509.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Dawood, Mamoon, 2001. "Is TRIPS suffering from Big Giant’s Syndrome: Good Economics versus Self Interest?," MPRA Paper 3310, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Hartwich, Frank & Alexaki, Anastasia & Baptista, Rene, 2007. "Innovation systems governance in Bolivia: Lessons for agricultural innovation policies," IFPRI discussion papers 732, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    3. Alberto Melo, 2001. "Los sistemas de innovación en América Latina y el Caribe," Research Department Publications 4284, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    4. Melo, Alberto, 2001. "The Innovation Systems of Latin America and the Caribbean," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 1429, Inter-American Development Bank.
    5. Alberto Melo, 2001. "The Innovation Systems of Latin America and the Caribbean," Research Department Publications 4283, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
    6. Donoso, Patricio, 2014. "National Innovation Systems In Europe And Latin America: A Comparative Analysis," Abante, Escuela de Administracion. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile., vol. 12(1), pages 33-62.

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