Development, Innovation and Natural Resources: The Latin-American Case

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the development strategies that may be most suitable for Latin American countries. These countries are characterized, among other things, by a relative abundant endowment of natural resources. However, a development strategy based purely on natural resource factors seems very weak and plagued with pitfalls that have hindered socio-economic development in these countries in the past. We explore an alternative strategy based on the combination of a knowledge-based/natural-resource strategy that may help to foster innovation in these countries with abundant natural resources to rely on, and in this way, promote long-term human and economic progress. Through the explanation of two cases of countries which have been able to develop successful knowledge systems we show that the concepts natural resources and innovation are potentially mutually reinforcing in promoting development for countries with rich endowments of natural resources. The implications in terms of public policy are related with the usage of a long-term innovation scoreboard, the benchmarking with other successful national innovation systems, and especially the linking of the knowledge system with the development of a strong agro-food system.

Study on the Influence of FDI on China's Green Innovation in Manufacturing System

“…Green innovation of knowledge resources can be measured mainly by stocks of green knowledge and flows of green knowledge. Feeney, R (2009) [8] pointed out that knowledge was the important sources to promote the enterprise's innovation capability and obtain competitive advantage.…”

Los sistemas regionales de innovación en América Latina

“…Por otro lado, con la intención de ofrecer una forma alternativa de hacer política de desarrollo vinculada con las actividades de I+D+i, Feeney (2009) muestra que las estrategias de desarrollo económico de gran parte de los países de AL se han centrado en la explotación de los recursos naturales, lo cual ha derivado, en general, en la ralentización de los procesos de desarrollo. Sobre la base del marco conceptual del sistema de innovación, este autor propone la combinación de esta estrategia con otra basada en la generación de conocimiento, opción que demanda mayor tiempo para su implementación, pero que ha demostrado ser más exitosa.…”