Does Technological Innovation Divide Economic Growth From Sustainable Development?

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore if technological innovation strategies produce economic incremental returns on the competitiveness indexes, and at the same time, produce an unfavorable impact on the social, environmental, and human systems of a region. Also, under what conditions or drivers this happens. Metrics of performance of innovation strategies were used on cities that have had remarkable innovative indicators. The correlation between innovation performance, environmental recovering, productivity, and social quality of life was analyzed. It was found that regulations, rule of law, incentives, inclusive use of technology, systemic vision, flatten organizations, hierarchical structures, and decentralized management responsibilities help in leveraging the impact of technological innovation to drive economic growth; however, the impact on the environment regeneration and on the social gap is highly questionable.