Enhancing Science and Technology in the SADC Region: Roles of the Secretariat and Member States

Authors: Patterson, Rubin; Bozeman, James

Source: Perspectives on Global Development and Technology, Volume 1, Number 1, 2002 , pp. 70-95(26)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Increased economic integration throughout the world, the growing dominance of foreign affiliate production over international exports, the routinization of innovation, and amplified knowledge-intensiveness of FDI collectively characterize the new global economic environment in which SADC nations are attempting to develop and compete. This paper provides a detailed summary of the global economic context and one of its leading engines, namely, science and technology (S&T). Analysis of Africa's post-independence S&T travails and successes constitutes the second section of the paper. Various factors that have collectively arrested S&T growth are discussed. The third and largest section is the analysis of commonalities and particularities of S&T needs and activities by the SADC secretariat and member states. Focused analytical reports on the status of S&T development efforts in Botswana and Zimbabwe comprise the final section. Based on the contextual threats and opportunities discussed above, the paper concludes with two concrete recommendations: integrating and adopting the elements suggested in the paper for a long-term S&T development model, and pursuing state-sponsored or quasi-state-sponsored reverse engineering campaigns.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156915002100419763

Publication date: 2002-08-01