Synopses & Reviews
This volume provides an overview of research on key topics in the economics of science and technology. These topics include the role of patents and intellectual property protection, the relationship between R&D and economic growth, R&D tax policy, government investment in infrastructure technology, public-private technology partnerships, labor market policies, and evaluation and assessment of technology programs. Much of this literature is new, so the time is ripe for a synthesis and critique of existing studies. The book offers an overview presented from an applied perspective, stressing historical and institutional factors. This book will be particularly useful to students interested in pursuing research on these topics and to policy makers who want a user-friendly summary of recent studies on the economic implications of technology policy.
Synopsis
Science and technology have long been regarded as important determinants of economic growth. Edwin Mansfield (1971, pp. 1- 2), a pioneer in the economics of technological change, noted: Technological change is an important, if not the most important, factor responsible for economic growth . . . without question, it] is one of the most important determinants of the shape and evolution of the American economy. Science and technology are even more important in the "new economy," with its greater emphasis on the role of intellectual property and knowledge transfer. Therefore, it is unfortunate that most individuals rarely have the opportunity to explore the economic implications of science and technology. As a result, the antecedents and consequences of technological change are poorly understood by many in the general public. This lack of understanding is reflected in a recent survey conducted by the National Science Board (2000), summarized in Science & Engineering Indicators. ' As shown in Table 1. 1, the findings of the survey indicated that many Americans, despite a high level of interests in such matters, are not as well-informed about technological issues as they are about other policy issues. As shown in the table, individuals self assess, based on a scale from 1 to 100, their interest in science and technology policy issues as being relatively high, yet they self assess their knowledge or informedness about these issues relatively lower.
Table of Contents
List of Tables. List of Figures. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. An Historical Perspective. 3. Economic Growth and Technological Change. 4. Dimensions of R&D. 5. The Entrepreneurial Process. 6. Government's Role in Innovation. 7. The Patent System. 8. Tax Incentives. 9. Research Collaborations. 10. Public/Private Partnerships. 11. Infrastructure Technology. 12. An Integrated Entrepreneurial Process. 13. Labor Market for R&D Scientists and Engineers. 14. Public Accountability. 15. Conclusions. References. Index.