Technological innovation in developing countries: a review of the literature |
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| Authors: | Diana Crane |
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| Institution: | Department of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA |
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| Abstract: | The recent literature on the role of science and technology in developing countries is reviewed in order to assess the extent of our current knowledge concerning the sociological factors affecting the development of indigenous scientific and technological innovations. Existing studies provide some preliminary evidence in favor of the hypothesis that inadequate linkages between institutions in the various sectors of developing societies inhibit the development and utilization of indigenous technological innovations.In general, relationships between government research organizations and the potential users of their technological innovations are absent or unsatisfactory. Academic research tends to be oriented toward the interests of the international scientific community. The substantial literature on the problems of indigenous technological transfer in India suggests that inadequate coordination between different sectors of that society is in part responsible for its failure to develop its potential for technological innovation.Recent attempts to stimulate the production and diffusion of indigenous technology in developing countries by creating new types of research institutes in the university and coordinating agencies in the government are discussed. Systematic evaluations of these programs are lacking, but coordinating agencies have often performed poorly because of insufficient power to influence the policies of other organizations.A sociological approach based on interorganizational analysis is suggested for future studies of this problem. This literature identifies the optimal characteristics of coordinating organizations at the government level and of research utilizations systems which link research organizations to their clients at the local level.A bibliography comprising 102 references classified by region is included. |
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