A policy model to foster coevolutionary processes of science, technology and innovation: the Mexican case

This paper argues that in the context of the knowledge economy the coevolution of S&T and Innovation is crucial for developing countries. Two features limit such coevolution in this type of countries: (i) the conditions for generating variation, selection and retention (VSR) processes in both arenas are still incipient, there is neither the required size nor the diversity of agents and organizations, and (ii) even though there are links between the agents and functioning structures, they hardly generate bidirectional causal mechanisms. A set of policies are required to stimulate a coevolutionary process of S&T and Innovation; they should focus on the capabilities and institutions that are required for the emergence of the initial conditions and the promotion of new processes.

Drawing on the Systems-Evolutionary Perspective, and based on a comprehensive assessment of the Mexican STI policy 2000-2006, this paper discusses the failures to build virtuous coevolutionary processes of S&T and Innovation and suggests a three stage STI policy design to strengthen the VSR processes and the bidirectional causal mechanisms that contribute to such coevolutive processes.

Keywords: Coevolution, Innovation, Science and Technology, Development, Structural Change, Policies, Mexico, Israel