The Uncertain Quest: Science, Technology, and Development (UNU, 1994, 531 pages)

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Note to the reader from the UNU:

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction: From tradition to modernity

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The importance of science and technology

Science, technology, and society

The institutional and policy requirements

The new international context

Modernity and the uncertain quest

References

Part 1: Science, technology, and development

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1 Modern science and technology

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The emergence of modern science

The expansion of modern science and technology

Cultures and coexistence of rationalities

References

2 The story of development thinking

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Pioneers in development

The discipline develops

The centre and the periphery

Questioning and crises

Prospects

References

3 Measuring science, technology, and innovation

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The growing need for R&D and innovation indicators

From macro-phenomena to innovation processes

Towards a worldwide standard for R&D surveys

Quantitative descriptions and qualitative assessments

The overall scope of R&D statistics among developing countries

Has R&D spending by developing countries increased?

In which regions are the world's R&D resources concentrated?

Science, technology, and new economic patterns

Innovation indicators in the making

The ''second-generation'' statistical manuals

References

Part 2: From history to current challenges

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4 Western science in perspective and the search for alternatives

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What is Western science?

The critiques

The search for alternatives

The example of India

The significance of the alternatives

References

5 The institutionalization process

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Overview

The Pandora's box of ''colonial science''

Strategies and styles of the major powers

Cultural responses to Western learning

The disciplines and institutions of colonial science

Institutional growth in the moulds of ''national science''

The role of government science policy

The interface between higher education and research capabilities

Concluding remarks

References

6 The behaviour of scientists and scientific communities

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The scientific communities in developing countries

Scientific community: A concept open to challenge

The widening gap and the need for a revised typology

National scientific communities and styles of science

The origins, behaviours, and conditions of scientists

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Origins

Higher education and research training

Brain drain and brain gain

Research scientists in search of statutes and status

Choosing research topics and practicing research

Scientific production: Not very visible

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The place of third world science in mainstream science

Mainstream science and local science: A needed revision

Concluding remarks

References

7 Technology, economics, and late industrialization

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Lights and shadows of conventional neoclassical growth theory

Alternative theoretical routes

Import substitution industrialization in the 1960s and 1970s

The 1980s: Towards a new socio-economic and technological scenario

Concluding remarks

References

8 Technological capabilities

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Firm-level technological capabilities (FTC)

National technological capabilities

National technological capabilities: Some evidence from developing countries

Conclusions and implications

References

9 The environmental challenge

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The first debate on environment and development

Slow progress towards ecologically and environmentally friendly development

Signposts for the future

Concluding remarks: Disentangling Prometheus

References

Part 3: The policy dimension

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10 Science and technology policy

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Science and technology policy: Rationale and issues

Instruments for science and technology policy

The implications of trade policy

Experiences and approaches in the third world

The United Nations system

The knowledge base for STP

Conclusion: Key contemporary issues for STP

References

11 Technology transfer and diffusion

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Elements and mechanisms of technology transfer

Historical background

The technology market

Towards a revised framework

Concluding remarks

References

12 Technology choice and development

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The 1950s and 1960s: Growth, investment allocation, and technology choice

The 1970s: Technology, employment, and basic needs

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Appropriate technology

Appropriate products

Technology and employment

The 1980s: Macro issues, new technologies, and capabilities

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Macroeconomic aspects of technology choice

New technologies and blending

Technological capabilities

Prospects for the 1990s

References

13 New technologies: Opportunities and threats

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Information technology

Biotechnology

New and advanced materials

References

14 Technology assessment

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Historical background

The methodology and its critics

A typology of technology assessment and policy analysis

Stakeholder participation in technology assessment

Concluding remarks

References

Conclusion: Perspectives for the future

Contributors

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