Generic Technologies in the C.E.C.’s “Growth, Competitiveness, Employment” White Paper: A Theoretical Contribution to the Policy Debate

Abstract

European Research and Technological Development policy has become focused on the problem of strengthening capabilities in what are known as generic technologies. This paper discusses the character of these technologies with reference to the C.E.C. White Paper on "Growth, Competitiveness and Employment". It offers analytical foundations for practical policy measures to deal with generic technologies. The paper seeks a better understanding of the creation and diffusion of generic technologies, viewed as processes of generating socio-technical constituencies. The characteristics of these constituencies are explored. In the key problem of building constituencies, five aspects are identified as critical. First is the distinction between the different moments - of creation, production and diffusion - of a technology. Second is the nature and maturity of technologies, which may pose limits and opportunities for constituency building strategies. Third, are the processes of sociotechnica alignment - involving people, institutions and, importantly, technical elements - in constituency building. Fourth is the role of constituency-builders in the alignment process. Fifth is the relationship in generic technologies between the micro- (eg projects) and macro-level eg programmes); the concept of the 'diamond of alignment' highlights all the dimensions that generic technology strategies should seek to integrate if they are to enhance their chances of success. These five aspects provide a range of conceptual tools for generating better comparative understanding of different generic technologies. Finally the paper considers some general implications regarding the potential contribution of the C.E.C. to generic technology