JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Year:2018 | Volume:9 | Issue:4 |Papers Count:7

The prominent role of technology-based small firms (TBSFs) in economic growth is prevalent in the literature. However, access to appropriate financial resources is a critical success factor for TBSFs. Venture capital (VC) funds are the key player in financing TBSFs. But, in developing countries, such as Iran, VC industry is inmature and underdeveloped. One of the main obstacle ahead of this industry is the challenges that exist in transactions between two parties (i.e. venture capitalists and TBSFs). So, the current study has executed to explore such challenges during the various stages of VC process. To do this, 29 in-depth interviews were conducted and the datas were analized applying grounded theory method. Also, the institutional theory was adapted in this study, because the institutions provide the frameworks in which the incentives and relation among all actors, including VC fund and TBSFs, are determined. The research finding (that was concluded using the Williamson institutional model) suggest that institutions such as information disclosure standards, tax regulations, intellectual property rights, protection of shareholders rights, law enforcement, government supportive policies, financial market institutions and several other socio-cultural such as collective action culture are critically important in setting up the relationship between the venture capitalists and TBSFs. So, it is recommended that policy makers reform institutions instead of direct intervention to develop the VC industry.

Detection of emergence research areas is an important issue for science and technology policy makers and researchers. Despite the importance of this subject, there is no comprehensive study to define the emergence and metrics that needed for its detection. In this study, we selected 1833 papers from web of science (WOS) that are published between 1970 and 2017. Then we used meta-synthesis method on 68 finalized papers that are completely related to the purpose of this research and extracted several metrics. Generalizability, innovation and penetration are the extracted construct. We also extracted 9 concept and 29 codes related to each metric. We also come up with a definition for emergence research area which is "the emergence research area is highly important and novel area that born very fast and have great impact on related research areas and also can attract researchers and other influencers of science".

Gas industry is a highly important technology-driven industry in Iran's economy. Despite numerous domestic and foreign investments in the industry, it is still dependent on foreign countries during decades ago. In other words, little technological learning has been occurred there. The aim of this research is examining the technological learning failure in the gas industry. For this purpose, the interviews were conducted with some gas experts, and after coding the interviews, seven factors were identified as the impact factors on technological learning failure, these factors are "lack of feedback loops on gas industry value chain, lack of border process between gas industry and its environment, lack of access to tacit knowledge, lack of economies of scale because of the declining development programs and demand stability, weak access to the international training courses and resources, high degree of integration complexity and lack of concentration on learning strain of design and engineering". Finally, at the end of the paper, some policy advices are suggested to overcome these failure factors.

There is no doubt in today's world about the importance of technology and applied sciences for the process of economic development. Basic sciences and the role of these sciences in the process of development though have been not studied enough and there is no widespread consensus about the importance of these sciences for development. In this paper, we introduce and assess the arguments for and against the importance of these sciences for developing countries. We also provide a non-linear argument in favor of basic sciences. From an economic point of view, we argue that basic sciences and the researches related to them play a role like national transportation substructures which are necessary for the performance of private sector and hence, for economic development. We show that notable parts of this knowledge sub-structure are in the form of non-tradable capabilities. These capabilities, therefore, should be developed through indigenous ways. In the end, we add to this economic approach a discussion about functions of basic sciences for development of rationality, formation of social capital, and political and cultural development.

Sectoral innovation systems perspective presents a proper framework to analyze formation and evolution of different industries. Despite various differences and distinctions, so far majority of studies in this field, have been focused on mass-produced consuming goods industries, and it is difficult to find studies that have examined capital goods and complex product systems industries. So, this research aims at introducing key players and actors, describing the path of formation and evolution of knowledge and technology, identifying influential policies and institutions, and explaining market structure and demand condition of Iran’s gas turbine industry as a complex product systems industry, through employing qualitative approach and case study strategy. This research findings include: 1) The path of formation and accumulation of knowledge and technology of manufacturing gas turbine in Iran including technological capabilities and technology acquisition strategies; 2) Diversity and dynamics of influential government policies on the formation and evolution of this sector including leading, investment, procurement and facilitation policies; 3) Duopolistic and politicized market structure in Iran’s gas turbine industry including limited number of suppliers and customers (government) and high and growing domestic demand for different types of gas turbines; 4) Examining the impact of international sanctions on iranian gas turbine producers.

Like many other innovations, genetically modified food products have received widespread pros and cons both within public community and scientific community. The technology expansions entails right public understanding of its benefits as well as reduction of phobia of its risks. This research aims to develop a model for evaluating public attitude towards GM food products. To this end structural equation modeling with PLS technique is used. The population include Tehran citizens and the sample consists of 830 citizens. Findings indicate that aptitude towards GMFP are affected by factors of perceived risks and benefits. These two factors are subsequently affected by three other major factors of general attitudes towards science and technology, awareness of GMP and trust. The general attitude towards GMF is positive, where men and single people have higher positive attitude towards GMF in comparison with women and married ones. The media includes three major channels of TV, internet websites and social networks; thus, it is recommended that policy makers take advantage of these media more efficiently and extensively in order to shape the public opinion and attitude towards GMFs.