The evaluation of innovation processes from the perspective of territorial development

Abstract

The object of the present work is to investigate the degree of adjustment of the "evaluation studies and analysis" that are promoted when validating investment processes which involve "innovative" actions; from the contrast between the practises and the instruments applied by the main public actor of the regional innovation system with the objectives that such policies and/or programs hold as justification. In this analysis, it is verified the ability with which the evaluation practises held can generate readings of the potential impacts which are to be known in advance both, by the present evaluation models and by the unanswered questions which come out from these new technological risks and uncertainties. From this analysis performed, it arises that the promoted practises do not adjust completely neither to the traditional evaluation theoretical standards nor to the emerging demands which contemplate the new conceptualizations of risk; giving place to mistaken evaluations in relation to the contributions of such social efforts to the territorial development; an achievement which is considered the main objective of them. © Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Facultad de Economía y Negocios.