Ra Ximhai (Jan 2015)
POLICIES FOR PROMOTING THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN THE STATE OF SINALOA, MEXICO
Abstract
This paper offers a perspective for the formulation of public policy in science, technology and innovation (STI) for the State of Sinaloa. Today, the productive processes of the regions are developed in what is called "knowledge economy". There are two main theoretical frameworks for the study of this subject. The neoclassical school explains the technological change using production functions and growth models; in second place is evolutionary thinking that builds national and regional categories of innovation systems, technological trajectories and paradigms in science and technology. For the construction of a regional policy in this field is more useful this second school of thought, which complemented an institutionalist vision adequately. A progressive verification method is used for checking each one of the components of the Regional Innovation System (RIS) in the case of universities are taken each of the dimensions of quality set by Levin (2006) . The meaning and scope of a regional innovation system is shown and the categories of this construct are hard to visualize Sinaloa developing policy proposals for the development of the region. Stresses elements such as the need to strengthen the pillars of RIS; Sinaloa enroll in the knowledge economy; build the city of knowledge; improve visibility of the knowledge produced in the state, and strengthen the institutional base of the STI. The second element addresses are universities as knowledge producers. A theoretical framework is developed using the concepts of triple helix, two mode of knowledge production, innovative university, Pasteur's quadrant, and academic capitalism. In the qualification of higher education in the state twelve dimensions are used: excellence in research, academic freedom and proper intellectual atmosphere, capacity for self-government, to have adequate facilities and funding, to practice respect for diversity, to achieve internationalization activities, to exercise democratic leadership; faculty development for undergraduates; appropriate use of new information technologies; quality of teaching; relationship with society and the existence of a dynamic collaboration within.
