Systems of innovation and the adoption of biotechnologies: The case of Mexico

Abstract

Developed countries have been adopting modern biotechnologies relying on innovation systems that nurture the financial, technological and specialised human resources needed to achieve innovations, especially in human health biotechnologies (Niosi et al., 2005; Cockburn and Stern,2010). In the last two decades, some emerging countries have attempted to adopt modern biotechnologies in their industries. However, these countries face unstructured institutional frameworks that affect their innovation systems (Niosi and Reid, 2007); still few innovations have been developed and some local firms have incorporated modern biotechnologies into their productions processes (Nature Biotechnology, 2004). Under these circumstances, a general question is raised: what are the characteristics of the firms adopting biotechnologies in emerging countries? In order to answer this question I take the case of Mexico. Two types of firms adopting biotechnologies were identified, only those, that have developed absorptive capabilities, have benefited from both national and international partners. © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.