and other research outputs Issues in the political economy of agricultural biotech-nology Journal... more and other research outputs Issues in the political economy of agricultural biotech-nology Journal Article
There is potentially tension between world class research and global standards on the one hand an... more There is potentially tension between world class research and global standards on the one hand and local contexts of engineering and development practice on the other. One aims at scientific status and entirely new knowledge, suggesting just one standard of quality. The other at building products and processes that might bring socioeconomic development, often prizing pragmatism and bricolage. The UK-funded programme 'Understanding Sustainable Energy Solutions in Developing Countries' (USES) was set up on the understanding that such tensions, if they exist, can be transcended. It was funded by two organisations, the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the UK international development agency, Department for International Development. This paper analyses the USES research programme, looking at the processes of its establishment, partnership building, the research undertaken and its early impact. The paper shows that the USES programme goes beyond 'normal' pure versus applied, research versus policy and low-tech versus high-tech dualities. Instead, it throws up a complex series of issues that require attention if research is to lead to long standing and sustainable economic and social development. The paper suggests that the concept 'liquid engineering' might be a good way to conceptualise the ways in which the programme, without denying the tensions of dualistic realities, has moved towards a more fluid process to take account of its multiple and complex goals. The programme highlights that progress can be made towards engineering and development being accepted as a legitimate area of engineering theory and practice.
International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development, 2017
Acknowledgement The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the ESRC Future of Scotland and UK for ... more Acknowledgement The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the ESRC Future of Scotland and UK for funding to the ESRC Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics (INNOGEN) (grant number RES-145-28-0002) for two projects: Independence and innovation policy in Scotland: what impact on the Scottish innovation system? and Science and industrial dynamics and the Scottish independence debate, and also would like to thank the interviewees and workshop attendees for their time. A series of workings papers and policy briefings are available at www.innogen.ac.uk
Highlights We introduce a novel approach to the analysis of life science innovation With a tr... more Highlights We introduce a novel approach to the analysis of life science innovation With a triangular theoretical framework inclusive of all innovation actors We have developed foresighting tools that analyse these interactions Abstract This paper presents an approach developed by the Innogen Centre for the analysis of systems of innovation. The approach, developed through the study of innovation in the life sciences, is unique in that it features a triangular view, alongside consideration of the behaviours and interactions between innovators, regulators and policymakers, and advocacy and public interest groups. Furthermore, while the approach can be characterised as co-evolutionary and system-based, it also allows for the user to shift from the macro to micro-considering the impact of institutions on actors and innovation within an institutional milieu, but also considering the individual behaviours and business plans or actions of the actors involved. This paper presents both the approach itself and how the approach was developed.
Public controversy has intensifed over the environmental effects of genetically modified organism... more Public controversy has intensifed over the environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) amid contending accounts of sustainable agriculture. In regulating these products, the UK has extended its 'consultative' style, seeking to maintain the appearance of expert ...
Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, Sep 1, 2007
... For example, Indian firm moves into biotechnology are not being funded by venture capital to ... more ... For example, Indian firm moves into biotechnology are not being funded by venture capital to small biotech firms, but from profitable 'imitation to innovation' Indian pharmaceutical companies ... positive cash flows to invest in 'catch-up'an attempt at the first scenario, at least ...
The question of how to build science and technology capacity in developing countries has been on ... more The question of how to build science and technology capacity in developing countries has been on (and often off) the agenda for decades, as has the issue of how to use partnerships to accelerate capacity building. There is, however, currently an explosion of interest in science and technology (S&T) in Africa. A plethora of reports and policy documents have argued for an expansion of S&T but to a far lesser extent for a rigorous rethink about how science, technology and innovation can be better organized for development. This paper aims to assess the importance of 'new' theories and practices based on the role of innovation and knowledge systems. The paper argues that lessons can be learned from transformations in research policy and from practices that better integrate new ideas from innovation, knowledge and development Such lessons exist not only from North America and Europe, but especially from developing countries including from Africa itself. The paper uses a range of evidence from recent cases of successful science and technological capacity development and capability enhancement in Africa, to assess the implications for future development of science technology and innovation capabilities. It has been argued that science and technology in the poorest developing countries is being held back by a single minded, short-term focus on poverty alleviation. This focus is seen as a constraint on gaining resources for medium and longer-term programmes, including in science and technology. However, an alternative argument would be to ask what changes are required for science, technology and innovation to be accepted as key for the alleviation of poverty. This alternative would also lead to transformations in research policy.
This article reports on a detailed study of large agro-biotechnology companies, conducted during ... more This article reports on a detailed study of large agro-biotechnology companies, conducted during the recent period of rapid industrial restructuring. The concept of life science synergy, involving a useful cross-fertilisation of ideas between the development of new drugs and new crop protection products, has floundered. Although negative public reaction to GM crop development is a significant cause, our research suggests that there are other more subtle causes, such as organisational culture differences between agro-chemicals and biotechnology disciplines and between seeds and chemicals firms. We found three distinct approaches to life science and technology trajectoryseeking in top agro-biotechnology companies.
The question of how to build science and technology (S&T) capacity in Africa has been on and off ... more The question of how to build science and technology (S&T) capacity in Africa has been on and off the agenda for decades, as has the issue of how to use partnerships to accelerate capacity building. Recent policy proposals have focused on expanding S&T capacity but have emphasized less the need for a rigorous rethink about how science, technology and innovation can be better organized for development. This paper aims to assess, using evidence from recent cases, the importance of new theories and practices based on the role of innovation and knowledge systems. The paper argues that lessons can be learned from transformations in research policy and from practices that better integrate new ideas from innovation, knowledge and development. It focuses on the changes required for science, technology and innovation to be accepted as key for the alleviation of poverty.
HIGH-TECH FANTASIES High-tech Fantasies goes beyond the normal 'policy evaluation' to e... more HIGH-TECH FANTASIES High-tech Fantasies goes beyond the normal 'policy evaluation' to examine the underlying assumptions which science parks embody about science and society. It is argued that science parks are founded on a notion of scientific production ...
and other research outputs Issues in the political economy of agricultural biotech-nology Journal... more and other research outputs Issues in the political economy of agricultural biotech-nology Journal Article
There is potentially tension between world class research and global standards on the one hand an... more There is potentially tension between world class research and global standards on the one hand and local contexts of engineering and development practice on the other. One aims at scientific status and entirely new knowledge, suggesting just one standard of quality. The other at building products and processes that might bring socioeconomic development, often prizing pragmatism and bricolage. The UK-funded programme 'Understanding Sustainable Energy Solutions in Developing Countries' (USES) was set up on the understanding that such tensions, if they exist, can be transcended. It was funded by two organisations, the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the UK international development agency, Department for International Development. This paper analyses the USES research programme, looking at the processes of its establishment, partnership building, the research undertaken and its early impact. The paper shows that the USES programme goes beyond 'normal' pure versus applied, research versus policy and low-tech versus high-tech dualities. Instead, it throws up a complex series of issues that require attention if research is to lead to long standing and sustainable economic and social development. The paper suggests that the concept 'liquid engineering' might be a good way to conceptualise the ways in which the programme, without denying the tensions of dualistic realities, has moved towards a more fluid process to take account of its multiple and complex goals. The programme highlights that progress can be made towards engineering and development being accepted as a legitimate area of engineering theory and practice.
International Journal of Technology Management & Sustainable Development, 2017
Acknowledgement The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the ESRC Future of Scotland and UK for ... more Acknowledgement The authors wish to acknowledge and thank the ESRC Future of Scotland and UK for funding to the ESRC Centre for Social and Economic Research on Innovation in Genomics (INNOGEN) (grant number RES-145-28-0002) for two projects: Independence and innovation policy in Scotland: what impact on the Scottish innovation system? and Science and industrial dynamics and the Scottish independence debate, and also would like to thank the interviewees and workshop attendees for their time. A series of workings papers and policy briefings are available at www.innogen.ac.uk
Highlights We introduce a novel approach to the analysis of life science innovation With a tr... more Highlights We introduce a novel approach to the analysis of life science innovation With a triangular theoretical framework inclusive of all innovation actors We have developed foresighting tools that analyse these interactions Abstract This paper presents an approach developed by the Innogen Centre for the analysis of systems of innovation. The approach, developed through the study of innovation in the life sciences, is unique in that it features a triangular view, alongside consideration of the behaviours and interactions between innovators, regulators and policymakers, and advocacy and public interest groups. Furthermore, while the approach can be characterised as co-evolutionary and system-based, it also allows for the user to shift from the macro to micro-considering the impact of institutions on actors and innovation within an institutional milieu, but also considering the individual behaviours and business plans or actions of the actors involved. This paper presents both the approach itself and how the approach was developed.
Public controversy has intensifed over the environmental effects of genetically modified organism... more Public controversy has intensifed over the environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) amid contending accounts of sustainable agriculture. In regulating these products, the UK has extended its 'consultative' style, seeking to maintain the appearance of expert ...
Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, Sep 1, 2007
... For example, Indian firm moves into biotechnology are not being funded by venture capital to ... more ... For example, Indian firm moves into biotechnology are not being funded by venture capital to small biotech firms, but from profitable 'imitation to innovation' Indian pharmaceutical companies ... positive cash flows to invest in 'catch-up'an attempt at the first scenario, at least ...
The question of how to build science and technology capacity in developing countries has been on ... more The question of how to build science and technology capacity in developing countries has been on (and often off) the agenda for decades, as has the issue of how to use partnerships to accelerate capacity building. There is, however, currently an explosion of interest in science and technology (S&T) in Africa. A plethora of reports and policy documents have argued for an expansion of S&T but to a far lesser extent for a rigorous rethink about how science, technology and innovation can be better organized for development. This paper aims to assess the importance of 'new' theories and practices based on the role of innovation and knowledge systems. The paper argues that lessons can be learned from transformations in research policy and from practices that better integrate new ideas from innovation, knowledge and development Such lessons exist not only from North America and Europe, but especially from developing countries including from Africa itself. The paper uses a range of evidence from recent cases of successful science and technological capacity development and capability enhancement in Africa, to assess the implications for future development of science technology and innovation capabilities. It has been argued that science and technology in the poorest developing countries is being held back by a single minded, short-term focus on poverty alleviation. This focus is seen as a constraint on gaining resources for medium and longer-term programmes, including in science and technology. However, an alternative argument would be to ask what changes are required for science, technology and innovation to be accepted as key for the alleviation of poverty. This alternative would also lead to transformations in research policy.
This article reports on a detailed study of large agro-biotechnology companies, conducted during ... more This article reports on a detailed study of large agro-biotechnology companies, conducted during the recent period of rapid industrial restructuring. The concept of life science synergy, involving a useful cross-fertilisation of ideas between the development of new drugs and new crop protection products, has floundered. Although negative public reaction to GM crop development is a significant cause, our research suggests that there are other more subtle causes, such as organisational culture differences between agro-chemicals and biotechnology disciplines and between seeds and chemicals firms. We found three distinct approaches to life science and technology trajectoryseeking in top agro-biotechnology companies.
The question of how to build science and technology (S&T) capacity in Africa has been on and off ... more The question of how to build science and technology (S&T) capacity in Africa has been on and off the agenda for decades, as has the issue of how to use partnerships to accelerate capacity building. Recent policy proposals have focused on expanding S&T capacity but have emphasized less the need for a rigorous rethink about how science, technology and innovation can be better organized for development. This paper aims to assess, using evidence from recent cases, the importance of new theories and practices based on the role of innovation and knowledge systems. The paper argues that lessons can be learned from transformations in research policy and from practices that better integrate new ideas from innovation, knowledge and development. It focuses on the changes required for science, technology and innovation to be accepted as key for the alleviation of poverty.
HIGH-TECH FANTASIES High-tech Fantasies goes beyond the normal 'policy evaluation' to e... more HIGH-TECH FANTASIES High-tech Fantasies goes beyond the normal 'policy evaluation' to examine the underlying assumptions which science parks embody about science and society. It is argued that science parks are founded on a notion of scientific production ...
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