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The size and structure of British technology activities: What we do and do not know

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Abstract

As a result of official, private and university initiatives, indicators of British technological activity have improved considerably over the past 30 years. They reveal strong similarities to other Western, industrialised countries in the type of activity performed, in its relative concentration within business firms, and in its distribution amongst sectors and firms of different sizes. They also reveal a relatively low level and rate of growth of technological activities, with relative strength in aerospace and chemicals, and decline and weakness in electronics. These patterns result in large part from decisions about technology strategy taken by not much more than a handful of large firms.

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  1. Science Policy Research Unit, University of Susse, Mantell Building, Falmer, BN1 9RF, Brighton, East Sussex, UK

    K. Pavitt

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Pavitt, K. The size and structure of British technology activities: What we do and do not know. Scientometrics 14, 329–346 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02020083

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