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International Conference on Technological Innovation and Development: Lessons from Taiwan

Thursday, 3 June - Friday, 4 June 2004
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Kennedy School of Government

Sponsored by the Science, Technology and Innovation Project, CID, Harvard University; the Science, Technology and Globalization Project, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, KSG; Asia Programs, Center for Business and Government, KSG; and the Committee on African Studies, Harvard University

Overview | Objectives

Overview

There is a growing recognition of the role of science, technology, and knowledge-based institutions in the economic transformation of developing countries. However, there is an urgent need to understand the detailed dynamics of how such institutions are created, modified, or weakened. Particularly, there is a dearth of detailed case studies on the roles of knowledge-based systems in the development of specific countries. The conference aims to fill in this research gap by presenting such development examples and drawing from them lessons for developing countries, especially those in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

One such example is Taiwan, which has had an astonishing rise from relative poverty to considerable wealth and institutional sophistication in a relatively short period of time. Taiwan has emerged as one among a handful of global leaders in various industries such as semi-conductors, computer hardware and consumer electronics. Much of the literature on Taiwan has focused on general economic trends, as well as the country’s particular export product mix, but has paid little attention to the relevance of the experiences and lessons for other developing countries. Indeed, there is a general assumption that the lessons may not be relevant to most developing countries. The conference will challenge these views by identifying areas that could provide learning opportunities for developing countries.
 

Overview | Objectives
 

Objectives

To examine this theme, the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Project and the Science, Technology and Globalization (STG) Project are co-organizing an international conference at Harvard University on “Technological Innovation and Development: Lessons from Taiwan,” June 3-4, 2004. The conference builds on ongoing research and outreach activities on the role of science, technology and innovation in economic transformation. Related activities include the Task Force on Science, Technology and Innovation of the United Nations Millennium Project commissioned by the UN Secretary General and supported by the UN Development Group.

The conference aims to:

1. Outline conceptual approaches that inform research and policy making on the relationships between technological advancement and economic growth.
2. Provide case studies that illustrate the contributions of technological advance in the economic transformation of Taiwan, with particular emphasis on the role of institutional innovation and technological learning.
3. Identify and critically examine the lessons that can be learnt from the Taiwanese experience by other developing countries, especially those in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The conference will examine in detail the policy and institutional dimensions of Taiwan’s development experience and its implications for today’s developing countries. In particular, the conference aims to explore issues such as:

• Impact of macroeconomic policies in shaping the environment for technological innovation.
• Influence of international trade and export opportunities on technological innovation.
• Technological upgrading.
• Knowledge management.
• Development of science and industrial parks as well as R&D consortia and networks.
• Policies for business incubation.
• Venture capital.
• Development of human resources, including the use of expertise in Diaspora.
• Specific role of science and technology policy advice institutions in Taiwan’s history.
• Ways by which research and development institutions, broadly defined, interacted with government, industry and forms of civil society in the development.
• Adaptation and utilization of new and more mature science and technology.
• Geopolitical elements that shaped and constrained the form of Taiwan’s S&T trajectory.
• Role of technology alliances in fostering technological innovation.
• Industrial migration and globalization.
• Use of foreign development assistance in industrial development.
• Diversification of the export products.

Overview | Objectives
 

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