Science-Technology Relationships Across Industries John Cantwell (Rutgers University, USA and University of Reading, UK)

Differences across industries Differences in the relationships between science and technology across industries are reflected in differences in R&D-intensities Technological knowledge draws directly on scientific knowledge to different extents - see Chart 1, derived from Francis Narin, and the following table, derived from Edwin Mansfield

Number of references to journal papers per patent

% based on recent academic research IndustryProductsProcesses Info Processing11 Electronics63 Chemicals42 Instruments162 Pharmaceuticals2729 Metals1312 Petroleum11 Average119

Pharmaceuticals A drug is a complex molecular product, but in terms of scientific understanding a relatively well defined and simple one by the standards of other technologies The medical effects on the working of the human body is the element that is more open-ended and less well understood (owing partly to ethical constraints)

Transport and machinery In transport and machinery, technology involves the development of complex systems, in which science contributes more to training than in the form of codified knowledge Scientific laws or theories are of little direct help in building cars or aeroplanes; instead, engineers rely on experiment and simulation

The benefits of science for technology Science provides the (complex and often indirect) support of problem-solving capacity These include (i) training; (ii) tacit know- how of experimental design etc.; (iii) instrumentation and simulation techniques; and (iv) access to international knowledge networks

The geographical implication The economic benefits of science involve a complex process of interaction with the tacit problem-solving capabilities of firms As a result, these benefits are largely geographically localized, since they are embodied in institutions and individuals, and transmitted through face-to-face interactions - hence, the 'asset-seeking' investments of MNCs search out these benefits in suitable centres of excellence