Recent changes in science and technology policy in Mexico: Innovation incentives

Abstract

In the current context of trade liberalization we can see the development and co-existence of novel processes and dynamics which suggest new ways of designing and implementing policies to foster firm production and innovation. For instance, trademark exploitation (franchises) and production methods for durable goods for personal and domestic use (apparel, footwear, domestic appliances, and even cars) reinforce the tendency toward worldwide standardization. Moreover, there is a trend toward economic specialization in regions and countries. Production processes have gradually been segmented into links in worldwide production chains in regions, which has promoted specialization in firms manufacturing parts and components and product assembly. The subsidiaries of multinational corporations and national companies participate in this trend in different ways, irrespective of size. © 2010 Springer-Verlag New York.