Dynamics of small Latin American techno-scientific worlds. A view from the triple helix
ISSN: 0368-492X
Article publication date: 10 June 2020
Issue publication date: 3 May 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to compare the techno-scientific systems of four Latin American countries: Panama and Costa Rica for Central America and Uruguay and Paraguay for South America. The overall objective is to explore their performance in terms of generation of knowledge in science and technology using the triple helix model as a framework.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodological approach applied was scientometric and bibliometric. The management of the techno-scientific governance in each country was analysed; input, process and output indicators were applied and a table of correlated factors was generated to determine the capabilities of each. The triple helix was used as a framework, as the study assessed the capabilities of the three actors in this model (academia, industry and government).
Findings
By studying this type of small Latin American techno-scientific worlds and the interrelationships between the three actors examined, it can be seen that there is a limited supply of certified knowledge and weak interactions between these helixes and this restricts the development of innovation initiatives.
Originality/value
There is little evidence of evaluations of the techno-scientific systems of peripheral countries and even less of the smaller ones. By cross-referencing governance information with indicators and generating a multi-factorial matrix, new knowledge is being generated that will contribute both to the general knowledge and to the improvement of public policy decisions in these countries.
Keywords
Citation
De la Vega Hernández, I.M. (2021), "Dynamics of small Latin American techno-scientific worlds. A view from the triple helix", Kybernetes, Vol. 50 No. 5, pp. 1405-1425. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-02-2020-0093
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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