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Strategies
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4–14
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This article explores major evolution stages of innovation policy in South Africa which is now in transition to constitutional democracy. The author seeks to identify prerequisites for the new innovation system in the country and to understand the role of the government and the Ministry of Science and Technology in driving the system. The paper also analyses new trends in scientific research with regard to health and services sectors accompanied by the scarcity of skilled R&D personnel. The empirical sources for the paper are policy documents and a range of science and technology databases. |
Innovation and Economy
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16–26
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The article rises the question about cultural (values, mentality) impact on attitudes to innovation. Data on innovation activity in Russia is given in comparison with information about other countries and results of cross-cultural researches of interrelationships between cultural values (according to Schwartz’ methodology) and attitudes to innovations in Russia and Canada. The authors also analyze the results of their research related to the social-psychological basis of innovations and share some ideas about Russia’s innovative climate. In addition, they offer some recommendations about how to overcome cultural and psychological barriers when aiming at the innovative development of Russia. |
Innovation and Economy
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28–46
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The article rises the question about cultural (values, mentality) impact on attitudes to innovation. Data on innovation activity in Russia is given in comparison with information about other countries and results of cross-cultural researches of interrelationships between cultural values (according to Schwartz’ methodology) and attitudes to innovations in Russia and Canada. The authors also analyze the results of their research related to the social-psychological basis of innovations and share some ideas about Russia’s innovative climate. In addition, they offer some recommendations about how to overcome cultural and psychological barriers when aiming at the innovative development of Russia. |
Science
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48–60
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The quest for the definition of science took up scientific minds long ago. Different epochs and philosophical schools developed their own interpretations of the term which quite often were in the center of scientific debates. Nevertheless, the beginning of the 20th century gave rise to a new – official – definition which was to help state bodies in measuring and estimating the effect R&D activities had on the economy and society. The fact should be mentioned that this definition has never been systematically examined. Thus, this paper attempts to fill the gap. Its first part (published in the given issue) documents how research became the central concept for measuring and talking about science. It traces the history of official statistics on science over the 20th century, follows with looking at the concept of research through the categories or types of research like basic and applied research, and finally turns to definitions of research proper, centered on an institutionalized conception of science. Part II of the paper (see issue 3/2009) examines the controversies surrounding the official definition of science and the efforts undertaken to broaden it. |
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62–64
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The article finalizes the results of the young scientists’ essay competition “Create the future” which was organized at the end of 2008 by the Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge and the Foresight Сentre of the Higher School of Economics. The author has analyzed received papers and identified several similar trends which authors addressed in their forecasts with regard to nanotechnology applications in various areas of our everyday life. As a result, he drew up a rating of young scientists’ technological expectations from the future. Leading positions of the rating (from the point of view of number of references) belong to subjects related to health, aging, practical immortality, nanomaterials and electric vehicles, and household use of nanotechnologies. The jury had to choose three best essays out of fifty. The winners dedicated their papers to “one day of a Russian citizen in 2025”. The essay which took the first place has been published in the current issue of the journal. |
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72–77
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In April 2009, Higher School of Economics held the 10th annual International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development. Within the framework of the event, a separate section was organized by the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK) and the International Foresight Centre — “Innovation development of Russia’s economy: issues and lessons” which combined two sessions: “Science and Innovation in Russia: Results of Latest Years” and “Long-term Prospects of Innovation Development in Russia”. |
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