Abstract
The purpose of this article is to make a distinction between (a) a society's ability to generate a scientific and technological potential (generativity), (b) the potential itself and (c) the country's capacity to absorb or receive scientific and technological research results (respectivity). These three complexes are represented by joint indicators covering both levels and structures. A comparison of 30 developing countries (DC) shows, inter alia, that: (a) the polarisation in economic development of the countries considered confirms the view that the future of national development is linked to the scientific and technological potential, (b) joint indicators can interpret better than a comparison of pairs of single indicators, (c) countries with comparable levels of the three capacities (generativity, R & D potential and receptivity) differ mostly in the structures. These structures seem to determine the differences in the use of the capacities, (d) the level of R & D potential is related more closely to the country's ability to absorb scientific and technological results than with its resources for building up this potential.
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Konrad, N., Wahl, D. Science, technology and development indicators for third world countries—Possibilities for analysis and grouping. Scientometrics 19, 245–270 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02095351
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02095351