The particular set of cultural attributes inherent within a given society heavily influences the technological sourcing of that society.

Culture alone is insufficient to explain the differences seen between societies in their ability to source technological innovations.

External forces such as the political and economic structure that surrounds the culture have considerable influence over a society's eventual innovative potential.

This paper examines these structural influences and makes propositions about selected attributes' effects upon a society's innate ability to source technological innovations.

Structure and Innovation

Culture heavily influences a society′s innovative capacity. Most studies place that proportion influenced by culture at between 30 and 50 per cent. What causes the remainder? Discusses differences in innovative capacity between culturally similar countries – the Anglo‐American Cluster – and proposes that much of the remaining variance can be traced to structural differences between those countries.

Comparison of Innovative Capabilities among the Anglo‐American Countries:

This paper considers the transfer process in the context of Third World needs and endeavours and suggests that modern information‐communication technologies are not different from any other new technology in the economic order. The issue is equitable technical collaboration. In order to avoid past mistakes, it is necessary to consider technical change in the social context. New technologies can then be more effective tools to access scientific knowledge.

Aqueil Ahmad

Papers

New information technology in India: The electronics riddle