Pathways of Technological Change in Developing Countries: Review and New Agenda

Abstract

This article argues the need for strategic reorientation with regard to the technological advancement of developing countries. The continued relevance of incremental capability‐building strategies in manufacturing is questioned by: (i) the emergence of new knowledge areas, some of which require closer links with science; (ii) recognition that past strategies have not solved the poverty problem; and (iii) unprecedented environmental problems that cannot be solved by existing Western technologies alone. A more pluralist approach is recommended, with increased attention to creative innovation capabilities. Cases of innovations in information communication technology, health and energy show potentially large economic and social impacts, but also highlight systemic obstacles to their realisation.

Unveiling the public procurement market in Brazil: A methodological tool to measure its size and potential

“…Romijn and Caniëls () emphasize the importance of a strategic reorientation in relation to the technological advancement of developing countries. In their opinion, technological accumulation strategies focused on assimilation and catch‐up of Western technological frontiers have limitations in the current era, which is characterized by challenges in resource depletion, energy and water supply and environmental degradation.…”

“…In their opinion, technological accumulation strategies focused on assimilation and catch‐up of Western technological frontiers have limitations in the current era, which is characterized by challenges in resource depletion, energy and water supply and environmental degradation. Therefore, it is becoming evident that developing countries—mainly large countries like China, Brazil and India— “will need to do better than Western ones if they are to attain development levels similar to current developed‐country standards” (Romijn & Caniëls, , p. 365). In relation to Brazil, a country characterized by a strong presence of State‐Owned Enterprises in the oil, energy, and water and sewage sectors, and abundant in natural resources, it is evident the potential represented by the adoption of PPI to the generation of technologies do not endanger the finite natural resources and the absorption capacity of the planet.…”

“…Besides those issues related to the external environment, Li and Georghiou (2016) also highlighted internal issues hindering the use of public procurement in China such as institutional and capability failures. Romijn and Caniëls (2011) emphasize the importance of a strategic reorientation in relation to the technological advancement of developing countries. In their opinion, technological accumulation strategies focused on assimilation and catch-up of Western technological frontiers have limitations in the current era, which is characterized by challenges in resource depletion, energy and water supply and environmental degradation.…”

ICT Diffusion in Developing Countries

“…• Establishing autonomous regulatory authorities (if there are none) to provide legal frameworks for developing telecommunication markets, to lower the risk for operators who aim to invest in high-risk markets with low initial penetration rates (e.g., Addison and Heshmati 2003;Guerrieri et al 2011); • Complete the transition to fully liberalised and competitive markets (eliminate monopolies) to encourage maximum participation by private companies (e.g., Wresch and Fraser 2012); • Implement and support pricing policies to ensure continuing price reductions (for both mobile cellular services and Internet access) for greater affordability (Baliamoune-Lutz 2003; ITU 2011a) • Promote further development of backbone infrastructures to, inter alia, ensure greater access to electrification (regions permanently lacking power shortages should receive special attention) (e.g., Eberhard et al 2008;ITU 2006Romijn and Caniëls 2011); • Pay special attention to ICT deployment in rural, geographically isolated and poorly populated regions to gradually close the rural-urban digital divide (e.g., Chen and Wellman 2004;Robison and Crenshaw 2010;White et al 2011;Nakamura and Chow-White 2013); • Focus on developing wireless networks (e.g., Thapa 2011;Hanson and Narula 2013;Gourhant et al 2014) to ensure better connectivity, especially in underserved and remote regions.…”

Engaging with Health Markets in Low and Middle‐Income Countries

“…On the other hand, there may be fewer constraints to major transformation. Romijn and Caniëls (2011), for example, suggest that advances in biotechnology and platform technologies, such as ICTs, mean that the pathways open to developing countries are fundamentally different to those of the past. The trajectory of a development pathway and the degree to which it provides benefits to the poor is influenced by the actions of a number of stakeholders and by the regulatory framework they put in place (Stirling 2009).…”