Unfolding the innovation system for the development of countries: coevolution of Science, Technology and Production

Emanuele Pugliese,Aurelio Patelli,Luciano Pietronero,Giulio Cimini,Andrea Zaccaria,Andrea Gabrielli

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-52767-5

Abstract

We show that the space in which scientific, technological and economic activities interplay with each other can be mathematically shaped using techniques from statistical physics of networks. We build a holistic view of the innovation system as the tri-layered network of interactions among these many activities (scientific publication, patenting, and industrial production in different sectors), also taking into account the possible time delays. Within this construction we can identify which capabilities and prerequisites are needed to be competitive in a given activity, and even measure how much time is needed to transform, for instance, the technological know-how into economic wealth and scientific innovation, being able to make predictions with a very long time horizon. We find empirical evidence that, at the aggregate scale, technology is the best predictor for industrial and scientific production over the upcoming decades.

Highlights

We show that the space in which scientific, technological and economic activities interplay with each other can be mathematically shaped using techniques from statistical physics of networks
Knowledge production and organization represents the main activity of modern societies – “learning economies”[1] in which most of the wealth of a country is intangible, and the organization of the national innovation system[2], and of diffused creativity[3] are the crucial capabilities for success
The literature on industrial organization and evolutionary economics changed the description of the innovation system from a directed chain to a co-evolution of distinct processes driven by different motives and routines[9]

Summary

Introduction

We show that the space in which scientific, technological and economic activities interplay with each other can be mathematically shaped using techniques from statistical physics of networks. Our network encompasses activities in different realms (or layers): scientific fields, technological sectors, and economic production.

Results

Conclusion