The Role of Science in Technology, and The Localization of Science-Technology Linkages

1. Interpretations Of The Technological Change

A definition of Science is the knowledge of nature that can be replicated and tested because it is published. In addition it is usually applied in universities and some firms. It utilizes ceteris paribus and the findings can be generalized. On the other hand technology is the non-codified application of knowledge and therefore difficult to reproduce or imitate.

Connections between science and technology (S&T henceforth) have baffled many historians and economists. One of the explanations of the relationship between S&T is the simple linear model set out by the economist Schumpeter. In his view the relationship is going from science to technology then to the economy. The simplicity of the model made it well liked with policy makers suggesting that it is best to expand the budget to support science and basic research and development. However, this model might be well suited to the late nineteenth century industries than the twentieth century industries and therefore no longer accepted as representation of the relationship between S&T. Bush report, Science, the Endless Frontier as cited in (Brooks, 1994) further supports this view. He basically encourage that policy makers should support science because scientists will know automatically what is important to the world and technology will develop and follow.

Schmookler analyses of the relationship between S&T and the economy, while being similar to the linear model in the fact that there is no role for the firm in these two theories of technological improvement; it differs in the direction of the relationship. Shmookler concluded from patent and economic data that innovation lags behind production and investment in some industries such ...

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