Strategic management literature has, until now, concentrated on the analysis of how large innovative firms maintain, rebuild, or renew strategic capabilities. This important book illustrates the complex transition process involved as firms accumulate knowledge and develop new types of knowledge management to build the primary strategic capabilities. The book addresses all areas of the process including how technological capability is initially achieved through to how the firm approaches the international technological frontier. Based on a detailed case-study of a multinational Mexican firm, this insightful book argues that there is no simple progression from the accumulation of technological capability to the management of knowledge as a strategic asset. The wealth of evidence, analysis and discussion will ensure this work will be of immense value and interest to scholars, researchers, business managers and development economists alike.

This book presents Latin America's innovation systems in a new theoretical and political light. The focus is upon how innovation processes can become inclusive; a major challenge for the non-egalitarian Latin American countries. The analytical framework combines Amartya Sen's capacity approach with a knowledge economics perspective. One major conclusion is that there is a need for ambitious public policy initiatives aiming explicitly at inclusiveness. The book offers a new perspective on innovation systems and innovation policy and it is of interest for innovation scholars as well as for policy makers responsible for the design of development strategies in emerging economies.' - Bengt-Ake Lundvall, Aalborg University, DenmarkThis unique book brings together new perspectives on inclusive development and the kinds of science, technology and innovation that can foster this form of development. The individual contributions provide distinct yet interrelated reflections on the diverse experiences of Latin American countries. Their common framework is determined by the assumption that economic growth, even if sustained for some time and accompanied by restorative social policies, is not always able to address inequality, a hallmark of inclusive development. Offering insights into the theoretical and empirical aspects of national innovation systems, this will be an extremely valuable resource for all academics and students involved with development and innovation studies. Contributors include: A. Alcazar Quinones, S. Alzugaray, I. Armas Marrero, R. Arocena, R. Astorga, F. Barletta, M. Bazan, R. Cardenas, R. Casas, J.E. Cassiolato, C. De Fuentes, G. Dutrenit, G. Figueroa Alfonso, M. Goni, J. Katz, H. Lastres, M. Lozano-Borda, D. Lucio-Arias, A. Marin, L. Mederos, E. Moreno, J.C. Moreno-Brid, L. Navas-Aleman, J. Niosi, J. Nunez Jover, J. Orozco, C. Perez, M. Puchet, S. Robaina, V. Robert, F. Sagasti, M. Salazar, M.C. Soares, D. Suarez, J. Sutz, A. Torres, A.O. Vera-Cruz, G. Yoguel

This book presents Latin America's innovation systems in a new theoretical and political light. The focus is upon how innovation processes can become inclusive; a major challenge for the non-egalitarian Latin American countries. The analytical framework combines Amartya Sen's capacity approach with a knowledge economics perspective. One major conclusion is that there is a need for ambitious public policy initiatives aiming explicitly at inclusiveness. The book offers a new perspective on innovation systems and innovation policy and it is of interest for innovation scholars as well as for policy makers responsible for the design of development strategies in emerging economies.' - Bengt-Ake Lundvall, Aalborg University, DenmarkThis unique book brings together new perspectives on inclusive development and the kinds of science, technology and innovation that can foster this form of development. The individual contributions provide distinct yet interrelated reflections on the diverse experiences of Latin American countries. Their common framework is determined by the assumption that economic growth, even if sustained for some time and accompanied by restorative social policies, is not always able to address inequality, a hallmark of inclusive development. Offering insights into the theoretical and empirical aspects of national innovation systems, this will be an extremely valuable resource for all academics and students involved with development and innovation studies. Contributors include: A. Alcazar Quinones, S. Alzugaray, I. Armas Marrero, R. Arocena, R. Astorga, F. Barletta, M. Bazan, R. Cardenas, R. Casas, J.E. Cassiolato, C. De Fuentes, G. Dutrenit, G. Figueroa Alfonso, M. Goni, J. Katz, H. Lastres, M. Lozano-Borda, D. Lucio-Arias, A. Marin, L. Mederos, E. Moreno, J.C. Moreno-Brid, L. Navas-Aleman, J. Niosi, J. Nunez Jover, J. Orozco, C. Perez, M. Puchet, S. Robaina, V. Robert, F. Sagasti, M. Salazar, M.C. Soares, D. Suarez, J. Sutz, A. Torres, A.O. Vera-Cruz, G. Yoguel

This book examines the implementation of science, technology and innovation (STI) policy in eight Latin American countries and the different paths these policies have taken. It provides empirical evidence to examine the extent to which STI policies are contributing to the development of the region, as well as to the solution of market failures and the stimulus of the region s innovation systems.

Since the pioneering work of Solow (1957), it has been recognized that innovation is critical for economic growth both in developed and in less-developed countries. Unfortunately Latin America lags behind world trends and although over the last 20 years the region has established a more stable and certain macroeconomic regime, it is also clear that these changes have not been enough to trigger a process of innovation and productivity to catch-up. Against this rather grim scenario there is some optimism emerging throughout the region. After many years of inaction the region has begun to invest in science, technology and engineering once again. Furthermore, after many changes in innovation policy frameworks, there is now an emerging consensus on the need for a solution to coordination failures that hinder the interaction between supply and demand.

Offering an informative and analytic insight into STI policymaking within Latin America, this book can be used by students, researchers and practitioners who are interested in the design and implementation of innovation policies. This book also intends to encourage discussion and collaboration amongst current policy makers within the region.