Book Review: Lakhwinder Singh, K.J. Joseph and Daniel K.N. Johnson (eds), Technology, Innovations and Economic Development—Essays in Honour of Robert E. Evenson

Date01 August 2016
AuthorO.P. Wali
Published date01 August 2016
DOI10.1177/0015732516646215
Subject MatterBook Reviews
Book Reviews
Lakhwinder Singh, K.J. Joseph and Daniel K.N. Johnson (eds),
Technology, Innovations and Economic Development—Essays in Honour
of Robert E. Evenson. New Delhi: SAGE, 2015, `995, 335 pp., ISBN 978-
93-515-0269-2.
Technology, Innovations and Economic Development—Essays in Honour of
Robert E. Evenson edited by Lakhwinder Singh, K.J. Joseph and Daniel K.N.
Johnson is a compilation of nine chapters which are scholarly contributions
addressing inclusive concerns of the developing economies in the context of their
pursuit for techno-economic progress. Its content comprises many interesting
cases as well as close examination of many issues in the domain of applied R&D
which are quite relevant in today’s context from a policy perspective. The book
has been divided into three sections: Innovation and Economic Development,
Technological Progress and Agricultural Development and Technology Transfer,
National Innovation Systems and Industrial Development.
The first section comprises three chapters, the common denominator across
these chapters touches mainly the issue of inclusive and sustained economic
development and highlights the need of investments for strong innovation ecosys-
tem to foster affordable technology and efficient accessibility. Thrust on innova-
tion can lead to improvements in quality of education that can lead to solutions
customized to the local needs. Attempt, though with a limited accessible data, has
been made to strengthen this proposition besides indicating a positive association
between outward-looking trade policy and performance in educational standards.
The requisite smooth technology transfer can happen subject to considerations for
economic feasibility, transparency about value of the innovation and competen-
cies of the stakeholders. It is suggestive of a comprehensive support for develop-
ing countries to overcome their development deficits.
This section also examines literature in detail about balancing issues around
creation, utility and scale of intellectual property. The focus is mainly on
patents in the context of need for sustained environment protection efforts. It
explores diffusion processes, social facets, market elements and political
considerations which assist and hinder dissemination. Policy instruments can
influence the direction of innovation. It underlines need for a policy to
encourage cost-efficient technology to ensure accessible and affordable
technology. It suggests that environmental regulations help transparency and
positive contributions in conditions of fixed cost for innovation being less
than compliance cost. Finally, this section brings forward the argument on the
Foreign Trade Review
51(3) 266–270
©2016 Indian Institute of
Foreign Trade
SAGE Publications
sagepub.in/home.nav
DOI: 10.1177/0015732516646215
http://ftr.sagepub.com

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