POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASPECTS OF STATE HIGH TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

In: Policy studies review: PSR, Band 3, Heft 3, S. 467-475

Abstract

THIS ARTICLE IS A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO SELECTED ASPECTS OF THE POLITICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF STATE HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HTD) PROGRAMS. STATE PROGRAMS HAVE JUST PASSED THROUGH THHE TAKE-OFF PHASE IN ACCELERATED DIFFUSION. IN 1980, NINE STATES HAD "DEDICATED" PROGRAMS WHICH PROMOTED HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIAL GROWTH BY 1983 THE NUMBER HAD INCREASED TO 22 (OTA, 1983). CONTINUED ADOPTION OF THESE PROGRAMS BY STATES IS LIKELY, AND A BROADENING WITHIN EACH STATE OF THE NUMBER AND VARIETY OF COMPONENT ELEMENTS CAN BE EXPECTED. SEVERAL FEATURES OF STATE "INNOVATION," "RED-BASED ECONOMIC GROWTH" OR "HIGH-TECH" PROGRAMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED IN EARLIER AND FORTHCOMING TRETMENTS (NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, 1982; JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE, 1982; OTA, 1983, FORTHCOMING). THESE FEATURES INCLUDE THE CONCEPTUAL AND EMPIRICAL OPENNESS OF THE CONCEPT OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY; THE COMPLEX SET OF INTERACTIONS AMONG RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INFLUENCING WHETHER ANY SET OF STATE PROGRAMATIC INITIATIVES WILL RESULT IN THE INTENDED END RESULT--JOB CREATION--WITHIN ITS BORDERS; AND THE LIMITED IMPACT EVEN A "SUCCESSFUL" HIGH-TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY MIGHT HAVE ON REDUCING HIGH LEVELS OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN STATES (REGIONS) EXPERIENCING MAJOR STRUCTURAL SHIFTS IN THEIR ECONOMIC BASES. THESE ACCOUNTS ALSO DESCRIBE SEVERAL DIFFERENT WAYS TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON A REGION'S ECONOMY--ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVEPY: 1984