Absorptive capacities and external openness in underdeveloped Innovation Systems
Dr. Pablo Galaso and Dr. Carlos Bianchi, Universidad de la República de Uruguay
This paper contributes to the literature on innovation and development by analysing the absorptive and connectivity capacities of Latin American innovation systems between 1970 and 2017. Applying network analysis to a USPTO database containing Latin American inventors, we build and analyse collaboration networks in the process of invention and knowledge appropriation. The structural properties and the evolution of such networks show that innovation systems in Latin America exhibit serious weaknesses that hinder the formation of a critical mass of interactive capabilities. Specifically, the networks exhibit low absorptive capacity and high external openness, which are critical linkages with external nodes in the network growth process. We identify different trajectories of innovation systems within the region, analysing specific paths of capability (de)accumulation and network
maturity against the backdrop of national development trajectories.
About the speaker
Carlos Bianchi, PhD. in Economics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He holds a position as Associate full time Professor at the Institute of Economics, University of the Republic, (UDELAR), Uruguay. He is a member of the Uruguayan System of Researchers. His main research lines are: innovation and development in Latin America; health innovation, and STI Policies. He has published several academic works on these topics. He teaches in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in UDELAR and has been a visiting professor at several Latin American universities.
Pablo Galaso, PhD. in Economics, Autonomous University of Madrid. He holds a position as Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Economics, University of the Republic, (UDELAR), Uruguay. He is a member of the Uruguayan System of Researchers. His main research lines are: social network analysis; innovation and development; regional development. He has published several academic works on these topics. He teaches in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in UDELAR and has been a visiting professor at several European and Latin American universities.
Venue: via Zoom (please contact us at seminars@merit.unu.edu for the Zoom link)
Date: 14 October 2021
Time: 12:00 - 13:00 CET
