Abstract

This project is concerned with how Latin American countries can take advantage of their rich biodiversity by increasing the technological dynamism of their natural resource processing industries. Three natural resource processing industries - pulp and paper, biofuels and the seed industry - are at the core of the recent economic success of Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Researchers will examine government policies and corporate strategies related to innovation, industrial growth, technological progress, environmental sustainability, international competitiveness and social welfare in the three sectors from the early 1990s to 2008. These data will form the basis for an inter-firm, inter-sector and inter-country comparative analysis of innovation capability, its outcomes (catching-up, overtaking or stagnation), and the institutional framework within which it occurs. Policymakers, corporate managers and decision-makers will be formally involved throughout project implementation. The project is expected to result in practical recommendations for government policy and corporate strategy that will foster sustainable progress in the three industries.

Recipient Institution(s)