STI Policy Research Articles

Evolution of nanotechnology policy initiatives in the BRICS countries: a comparative overview

The article provides a comparative review of the national nanotechnology initiatives in the largest emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - BRICS). It focuses on the influential role of state action, the evolution of the initiatives, institutional aspects, and a brief comparison of recent scientific production among the countries. Understanding the context of each country's nanotechnology STI policy is essential for comprehending the scope and the primary challenges faced in developing these programs and initiatives. The methodology involved rigorous bibliographical and documentary research, analysis of scientific production indicators, and the estimation of a nanotechnology Activity Index. The political and institutional complexity and socioeconomic adversities in emerging countries are challenging obstacles to promoting emerging technologies. Government perspectives and their role as technology inducers or fosterers significantly differ among countries, even when they are institutionally similar. Overall, the main nanotechnology initiatives in the BRICS countries have historically been led by the state, resulting in significant scientific advancements but limitations on the potential for innovation outcomes. Alongside institutional heterogeneity in the formulation and implementation strategies, geopolitics plays a crucial role in the initiatives' trajectory, especially in countries vying for international leadership against Western powers.

Political Economy of STI in China: Analyzing Official Discourse on Science, Technology and Innovation-Driven Development in the Contemporary China

Science, technology, and Innovation (STI) have been the cornerstone of China’s Reform and Opening-up processes. Employing a hybrid methodology, including textual analysis, this paper asserts that four decades of reform and opening-up have witnessed STI’s pivotal role across sectors despite numerous challengesб such as economic slowdown, growing disparities, environmental issues, and a huge burden on the state-owned enterprises. China’s substantial investments in the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including Artificial Intelligence and New Energy Vehicles, exemplify its commitment to innovation, reflected in over 2.5% of GDP allocated for research and development in 2022. This robust investment has bolstered China’s innovative capabilities and brought about its high ranking on the Global Innovation Index. In Chinese STI politics and policy-making, the programs like MLP-2006, SEI-2010 and Made in China 2025 have created a watershed moment. Three central research questions guide our exploration: the trajectory of policy framing on STI-Driven development, the theoretical underpinnings of Innovation-Driven Development and Green Development in Chinese STI politics, and the significance of these paradigms in China’s context. This paper also hypothesizes the emergence of two distinct trajectories within China’s STI politics through the adoption of Innovation-Driven Development and Green Development, positioning STI at the core of China’s development paradigm. The study thoroughly dissects China’s official discourse, framing these paradigms within the Sustainable Development context and highlighting their crucial roles in China’s journey toward technological advancement and sustainability. The analysis of the evolution of China’s STI policy as portrayed in official discourse offers insights into the strategic role played by science, technology, and Innovation in moulding China’s socio-economic trajectory alongside global implications stemming from its transformative development agenda.

Preferences, Institutions, and Policy Makers: The Case of the New Institutionalization of Science, Technology, and Innovation Governance in Colombia

Abstract Science, technology, and innovation (STI) are fundamental elements for achieving development and sustainable growth. Developing STI is also currently the main challenge faced by countries, especially those with emerging economies, making it essential that these countries implement comprehensive policies to generate a knowledge-based society. Institutions and policy-makers are responsible for defining the rules by which a society is governed. In particular, it is widely held that institutions should place special emphasis on establishing property rights, legal systems, customs, and the political systems based on which central planners should govern. From this perspective, this study integrates qualitative and quantitative analysis through a preference model with three types of STI policy-makers and projections to better clarify the requirements for new STI institutions in Colombia. It does so by using the time series of STI spending generated by the Administrative Department of STI (Colciencias) from 1968 to 2018. The simulation results show that among the chosen agents, the STI policy preferences of the scientist-manager yield economic outcomes closest to the optimal level. In contrast, the yield of the politician’s preferences is suboptimal and even negative at certain points. These results have implications for public policy, as poor policy choices may lead to undesirable results in terms of STI policy application, implementation, and execution. These findings are important for strengthening STI policy. They also indicate the important role of the government in transforming Colombia from being a receiver of technology to being a generator of knowledge, technology, and innovation in line with the requirements of the country’s population and its natural resource endowments.

Inclusion as a science, technology, and innovation policy objective in high-income countries: the decoupling dilemma

Abstract This paper scrutinizes the objective of inclusion in contemporary science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies by analyzing its manifestations within the broad STI policy language promoting a closer interaction between science and society. We contribute to the STI policy literature by revisiting current conceptualizations that primarily center on marginalized groups. By analyzing the Broader Impacts Criterion and Responsible Research and Innovation frameworks in the USA and the European Union, we show that inclusion in the context of high-income countries is partially decoupling from marginalization and increasingly being instrumentalized to serve impact agendas. Our conceptual framework synthesizing the dimensions of goal setting and agency illustrates the broadening scope of inclusive policies and the emergent decoupling dilemma that has been neglected in the literature. Future research must account for the growing ambiguity of policy language that is facing new legitimacy questions and the blurring of objectives focused on supporting marginalized groups.

Perspectives from students and teachers about the challenges of teaching and learning STEM subjects in Ghana

Ghana has recently renewed its commitment to build a strong Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) base for improved socio-economic development. This commitment hinges on recognizing that the strength of the nation’s STI policy depends on the quality of pre-tertiary education and training in science and mathematics to produce a critical mass of young people well-prepared for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses at the tertiary level. However, despite numerous interventions to improve upon STI, Ghana still performs poorly, along with other Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries with common STI indicators in the Global Innovation Index. Using Ghana as a lens, this article highlights the challenges in STEM teaching and learning throughout the sub-region. The qualitative research approach was adopted to allow an in-depth exploration of participants’ perspectives. Six pre-tertiary schools (three Junior High Schools and three Senior High Schools) and the University of Ghana, Legon, were selected due to the availability of their students and teachers to participate in the interviews in Accra, the capital city. This article argues that, to develop the critical mass of human capital needed for sustainable development, there is a need to improve the performance of students in STEM subjects at the pre-tertiary level. In addition, performance improvement, which is linked to student interest in the study of STEM subjects, should increase the quality of students entering tertiary education institutions. These students will then be trained to meet the quality of human resources needed to run the STI system—a step toward achieving sustainable development this article recommends the redesign of STEM curriculum at the pre-tertiary level to align with tertiary STEM education as that in turn aligns with Ghana’s STI system.

Why Do Some Countries Innovate Better than Others? A New Perspective of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Regimes and National Absorptive Capacity

This paper looks into the determinants of national innovation performance from the perspective of policy regime and establishes a theoretical model on how a country’s dual Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy regimes, democratic and meritocratic, and national absorptive capacity (NAC) jointly determine its national innovation performance. A democratic STI policy regime promotes innovation through channels of freedom, social equality, and public participation. A meritocratic STI policy regime promotes innovation through channels of good governance and rational policymaking. The model further proposes that the relationships between STI policy regimes and national innovation performance are moderated by potential NAC (PNAC) and realized NAC (RNAC) in opposing directions. The fixed-effects panel regression of OECD countries confirms that both democratic and meritocratic STI policy regimes have positive effects on national innovation performance. Moreover, the democratic effect is positively moderated by PNAC but negatively moderated by RNAC. In contrast, the meritocratic effect is positively moderated by RNAC but negatively moderated by PNAC. The major contribution of this paper is to highlight the importance of a country’s STI policy regimes as the bedrock and NAC as the leverage to generate more homegrown innovations.

Evolution of Science Technology and Innovation policies of India: Assessing the role of the domestic and international milieu

Science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies are crucial for addressing a nation’s anguishes and aspirations. In today’s era, countries worldwide recognize the significance of innovation for their economic survival. With aspirations to be a global power in innovation, India has emphasized incubation, innovation, startup ecosystems, and triple helix linkages. This paper examines the evolution of India’s STI policies, highlighting the influence of domestic and international events on their development. The study focuses on three policy types: direct innovation policies, five-year plans, and national-level educational policies, to trace the milestones in India’s policy journey. The authors conclude that changes in the domestic and international landscape significantly impact a nation’s STI policies, as exemplified by India. The recent Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy of India 2020 draft reflects an effort to adapt to the evolving global scenario.

Prospects of hydrogen technologies application in the economic sectors: Priorities of the state and business

Discussions around the application of hydrogen technologies in various economic sectors (as part of the green agenda) contributed to the release of various hydrogen national initiatives. By the end of 2023, 41 governments have already adopted hydrogen strategies. However, hydrogen technologies are not mature for widespread adoption due to technological barriers associated with the production, storage, and transportation of hydrogen. National governments and private companies invest significant funds in research and development in order to overcome them. The purpose of this study is to assess current level of hydrogen technologies’ development on the basis of index and other methods to identify the most promising fields of application. Statistical and analytical materials devoted to the development of hydrogen solutions were exploited: patent and project activity of private sector, STI policy of net-energy importers — Germany and South Korea as the example. An analysis of the hydrogen strategies and the activities of corporations in selected countries revealed that the fuel cell automotive sector and traditional use of hydrogen (production of ammonia and methanol in the chemical industry) are among the key areas of application of the studied technologies. Hydrogen can also be adopted in the electric power industry, etc. Governments that support hydrogen technologies seek to expand the range of its applications by attracting investments from multinational corporations from those sectors where hydrogen is already embedded in the chain of production.

Correction to: Stated preference methods and STI policy studies: a foreground approach

Correction to: Stated preference methods and STI policy studies: a foreground approach

Editorial Presentation - Perspectives on innovation governance: challenges and dilemmas

Editorial Presentation - Perspectives on innovation governance: challenges and dilemmas

The long walk to STI policy coherence

The long walk to STI policy coherence

Science collaboration in West Africa after the first regional STI policy (2011-2020)

Science collaboration in West Africa after the first regional STI policy (2011-2020)

Stated preference methods and STI policy studies: a foreground approach

Abstract This discussion article explores the ontological and epistemic basis for analysing social preferences in the broader interdisciplinary field of Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy studies and its evaluation using stated preference (SP) methods. STI policy studies base their approximations of policy problems on a revealed preference (RP) approach, which analyses economic agents' actual market behaviours based on standardized data sources. SP methods arose as an alternative to address the analysis of public goods for which the market fails to assign prices efficiently and can only be evaluated in hypothetical or contingent situations. In an analytical context of complexity defined by grand societal challenges related to the provision of public goods to be addressed by STI transformative policies, analysing social preferences by SP methods could support a more robust and holistic approach to STI policy analysis and its evaluation, improving the policy-making process and promoting more informed policy mixes and evaluation policy mixes. A kind of Kantian categorical imperative favouring SP methods is discussed based on the new STI policy research agenda on transformative change and supported by axiology around social choice, welfare, and a more participative STI policy governance.

The Performance Gap of Policy Information Systems: A Knowledge Infrastructure Assessment Framework

Digital technologies’ development and their ubiquity has significantly changed the way information is collected and shared. These changes are also observed in the ways that knowledge and information used to design and implement Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policies are increasingly made accessible via digital platforms. Lacking, however, are evaluation frameworks to measure the performance and effectiveness of public information systems used for STI policy work. This limits what we know about what aspects work for whom, when, and why. As a response to this gap limiting our collective capacity for improving their utility, this paper presents an assessment framework tool for STI policy-focused digital knowledge platforms. Our proposition is informed by theoretical lessons from the areas of work on Knowledge Infrastructures (KIs) and Next Generation Repositories (NGRs), and practical experiences from policy professionals working in STI policy domains. The tool’s architecture is structured around three interdependent thematic pillars of performance in the production, aggregation, distribution, and maintenance of knowledge in digital information platforms: the communities pillar, the technical systems pillar, and the sustainability pillar. To test the design and utility of our proposed evaluation framework, we applied it on a digital platform of STI policy instruments maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the Global Observatory for Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (GO-SPIN) platform. We conclude with reflections on future areas for evaluation framework development.

Latmétricas: Special issue on developments of S&T indicators in Latin America

Abstract This special issue presents a small selection of contributions from Latmétricas 2021, among those submitted by authors. This Conference brought together more than 500 practitioners and researchers from every corner of Latin America and the Caribbean. There were sessions on new metrics, measuring open access effects on productivity and impact, the relationship between gender and scientific assessment, STI policies and assessment in regional governments, geohistoriometric indicators to evaluate the historical trajectories of scientific production, and assessment of infrastructure capacities. Peer Review https://publons.com/publon/10.1162/qss_e_00234

Experience of developing a mission-oriented STI for SDGS roadmap in Ukraine

The subject of the study: mission-oriented policy in the field of science, technology and innovation, to achieve the SDGs in Ukraine. Purpose: defining the STI policy missions (priority directions) to respond to societal challenges and SDGs; developing the roadmaps for STI policy missions as a tool ensuring their coordination with strategic documents’ measures regarding the SDGs achieving. Methods: policy analysis, foresight research, statistical and scientific-metric analysis, business and information analytics. Results of the work: The objectives of six policy missions in the STI field were determined based on the foresight study, analysis of challenges, scientific and technological potential and stakeholder consultations. For the first time, six STI for SDGs roadmaps were developed for six concrete missions according to a single structure, which includes the situation and trends analysis in the relative sectors, scientific and technological and entrepreneurial potential, the key strategic documents’ measures for the SDGs implementation. The road map content has been agreed with 17 interested authorities. A comprehensive STI for SDGs roadmap has been developed as a toolkit for coordinating regulatory, organizational and financial measures regarding SDGs in Ukrainian strategic documents with the STI policy tools. The research results are the basis for determining the priority directions for the development of science and innovative activities for 2023, approved by the resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 283 of March 30, 2023 and No. 463 of May 9, 2023. Scope of application of the results: legal regulation in the STI field, transformational innovation policy. Conclusions. Defining the tasks of six policy missions in the field of STI to respond to national challenges and SDGs allowed for a more thorough analysis of the problems and risks of not achieving the SDGs and their relations with the strategic policy planning in the relevant sectors. The mission-oriented STI for SDGs road map becomes a more effective tool for coordinating the priority directions (missions) of the STI policy with measures for their implementation in strategic development documents. Further research will be aimed at strengthening the roadmap’ coordinating role during the implementation of STI policy measures and tools in the sectors of the national economy, as well as developing the appropriate indicators for monitoring and evaluating the progress in the STI for SDGs roadmap implementation.

Science, Technology, and Innovation policies in the integration process of Central America and the Dominican Republic: the role of representations and perceptions

This paper summarizes the findings of a qualitative study about the role of the representations and perception of Science, Technology, and Innovation Policies (STI) in the Central American integration process. It is based on interviews with policymakers and a parallel literature review process. The main finding points out the limitation of translating in practical terms the representations and perception of the positive role of STI policies in supporting the integration process and economic development at regional and national levels. An organic, long-term, and multiscale STI policy commitment is required to foster a more proactive and influential role of STI policy in the integration process and in supporting capacity building for innovation.

Strategies to Build Trust and COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence and Engagement among Minority Groups in Scotland

As countries continue to deal with the global COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, policymakers recognize that science, technology, and innovation (STI) practices offer a means of addressing many of the health problems that arise from the ongoing pandemic. Such recognition has given rise to many STI policy initiatives across various areas of science and policy, leading to a better understanding of coronavirus and the development of COVID-19 vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. However, the practical implementation of vaccine and treatment strategies within local communities extends well beyond the laboratory. This study explored how misinformation and trust amplify or attenuate coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine perceptions of those from ethnic minority groups deemed more susceptible to the impacts of the virus. Primary data in this study were collected in Scotland through semistructured interviews with 26 expert and nonexpert members from Scotland’s minority ethnic communities. The study findings show that risk perception is fluid and dependent on the information and evidential environment in which people find themselves. Misinformation, fake news, conspiracies, and trust or distrust (from prior experiences and historic practices) influence the perception of coronavirus and how risk messages are received, including the acceptance of coronavirus vaccines. This article reflects on Scotland’s approach to building trust and COVID-19 vaccine confidence and engagement based on the findings of this study, identifying areas of strength and areas for further improvement or research. The authors believe, as shown by our research, that vaccine engagement will be more impactful if developed by and with the public, and reflects public values, concerns, and priorities.

Can Developing Countries ‘Catch Up’ with Weak S&T Eco-Systems: Some Insights from Dynamic Asian Economies

The post-war era, particularly from the mid-1980s, can be seen as a turning point for various Asian countries. Japanese success in industrialisation based on technology transfer from the industrialised West and evolution of unique endogenous scientific and technological capacities led scholars to conceptualise ‘late industrialisation’ and ‘catching up’ strategies. In a large measure, the ‘East Asian Miracle’ led to some erroneous misconceptions on science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies. Various writings and commentators from Africa, Asia and Latin America advocated to follow the path of East Asian Dragons. These writings begun to assume that countries can build innovation systems or dynamic technological sectors of economy within their respective countries, without paying much attention to building and strengthening science and technology (S&T) eco-systems. There are now clear STI policy signals which point to the significance of building science and technology systems before fully embarking on innovation policies. Drawing on some exemplary cases, this essay will explore the importance of S&T systems in the context of developing countries.

Brazilian Company for Industrial Research and Innovation: A New Generation of STI Policy Mechanisms for the Modernisation of the Productive Sector

This article focuses on the Brazilian Company for Industrial Research and Innovation, (EMBRAPII), a social organisation created as an intermediary agent to encourage partnerships between research centres and companies. The main objective was to overcome the shortcomings of Brazil’s conventional STI public policies, the technological and innovation results of which were considered unsatisfactory. EMBRAPII innovates in governance and funding, regarded as an instrument capable of boosting companies’ engagement in collaborative technology and innovation projects. This article concludes by acknowledging EMBRAPII’s evident qualities with respect to the conventional STI policies, even though its achievements seems lower than expected in terms of the number of companies involved. The research findings endorse Ergas’ assumption that policies cannot be assessed in isolation. ‘The first and most fundamental is the dependence of technology policy outcomes on their economic and institutional environment.…’.