Technological Innovation in Chile: Where we are and what can be Done

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to characterize and assess the current Chilean scientific and technological status from an economic perspective. The analysis reveals that, given the country’s present level of economic development, major weaknesses exist in the National System of Innovation. In particular, Chile devotes very scarce resources to R&D as a proportion of GDP, the participation of professionals and scientific workforce in research activities is poor, and private involvement in conducting or financing these activities is negligible. This latter aspect is of special interest, considering that the international evidence shows that in countries that have attained significant development advances, the private sector is actively involved in scientific and technological activities. The paper discusses some economic mechanisms that promote such involvement.