Research And Development : Linkages To Production In Developing Countries

This book explores ways to organize research and development programs and provides flexible and appropriate linkages to promote supplier-user interactions at national, regional, and international levels. It also provides policy instruments to encourage and finance research and development.

While many developing countries rapidly expanded their scientific and technological capabilities during the 1960s and 1970s, the current international economic crisis has severely threatened these programs and the developing world has staggered under its debt burden. These economic difficulties highlight the need to utilize effectively the limited scientific and technological resources available. In this volume, an international group of experts explore ways to organize research and development programs; create flexible and appropriate linkages to promote supplier user interactions at national, regional, and international levels; and design policy instruments to encourage and finance research and development.Three case studies illustrate all these aspects of research and development.The contributors also· outline suggestions for pioneer projects in such areas as a technological services delivery system for small industries; a local technology system for rural areas; a fund-syndicating technology delivery system for later enterprises and investors; linkages to improved productivity in under-utilized capacity; and identifications of needs in the least-developed countries.