Policymaking for the Development of Basic Sciences and Technologies: Reviewing Some Global Best Practices

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor at Department of Management and Accounting, University of Tehran (College of Farabi)

2 Associate Professor at Department of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba’i University

3 Assistant Professor at Technology Studies Institute

4 PhD in Technology Management, Department of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba’i University

Abstract

One of the most important areas in the field of science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy is policymaking concerning the growth and development of basic sciences and technologies. However, the role of basic sciences and technologies in the development process of societies has not been sufficiently studied and there is no comprehensive agreement on the importance of these sciences for development and subsequent support. The purpose of this study is to identify the covered scientific fields, key functional dimensions, and policy plans and programs of institutions supporting basic sciences and technologies in leading countries, and to extract policy implications for similar organizations in Iran.
This paper conducted document analysis and benchmarking using the best experiences to study and review the world's top experiences in policymaking for the development of basic science and technology in leading countries in the field of science and technology.
The result indicate that the main functions of institutions supporting the development of basic sciences and technologies are as follows: Supporting talents and scientific and technology pioneers; Supporting problem-oriented education and research to address national and international challenges; Development of international scientific and technological interactions and cooperation; Supporting innovative and promising researches and commercialization of research achievements; Supporting fundamental research in the field of scientific and technological trends; and Generalization, popularization, and promotion of science and technology discourse in society.

Keywords


[1]   Hajihoseini, H., Karimmian, Z. STI Policy Process and Its Governance (Persian). Journal of Science and Technology Policy. 2019. 11 (2): 71-86.
[2]   UNCTAD: Training Course on STI Policies. MODULE 1: Innovation, Policy and Development Participant’s Handbook. 2017.
[3]   Laranja, M. Network governance of innovation policies: The Technological Plan in Portugal. Science and Public Policy. 2012. 39 (5): 655-668.
[4]   Shokatian, T.,Ghazinoory, S. Challenges of Policy Making in the Realm of Basic Research (Persian). Journal of Science and Technology Policy. 2019. 11 (2): 347-361.
[5]   Arrow, K. Economic welfare and the allocation of resources for invention. In The rate and direction of inventive activity: Economic and social factors. Princeton University Press. (1962).
[6]   Namdarian, ., Naghizadeh, L. Strategic Intelligence in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Making (STI) (Persian). Journal of Science and Technology Policy. 2019. 11 (2): 87-101.
[7]   Frascati Manual: Guidelines for Collecting and Reporting Data on Research and Experimental Development. The Measurement of Scientific, Technological and Innovation Activities, OECD Publishing, Paris. (2015).
[8]   Mousavi, A. Investigating the Role of Basic Sciences for Comprehensive Development of Developing Countries (Persian). Journal of Science and Technology Policy. 2017. 9 (4): 45-54
[9]   Martin, B. R., & Tang, P. The Benefits from Publicly Funded Research. SPRU Working Paper Series 161, SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research, University of Sussex. (2007).
[10]    Lundvall, B. A., & Borrás, S. Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy. In The Oxford Handbook of Innovation. (2006).
[11]     Lundvall, B., Joseph, K. J., Chaminade, C., & Vang, J. (Eds.). Handbook of Innovation Systems and Developing Countries: Building Domestic Capabilities in a Global Setting. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. (2009).
[12]    Yaghmaie., A. The Functionalist Account of Basic-Applied Distinction of Research and its Implications for Research Policy (Persian). Journal of Methodology of Social Sciences and Humanities. 2020. 26 (102): 39-56.
[13]    Denscombe, M. The Good Research Guide: For Small-scale Research Projects. 4th Edition. Open University Press. (2010).
[14]    Ghazinoory, S., Ghazinoori, S. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Making: An Intriduction (Persian). Tarbiat Modares University Press. Tehran. (2012).
[15]    National Science Fundation of United States of America. Available at: www.nsf.gov
[16]    National Research Foundation of South Korea. Available at: www.nrf.re.kr
[17]    National Natural Science Foundation of China. Available at: www.nsfc.gov.cn
[18]    Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Available at: www.jsps.go.jp
[19]    National Research Foundation of Singapore. Available at: www.nrf.gov.sg