Science, enterprise and profit

Ideology in the Knowledge-Driven Economy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2159267
AutoresPeter Armstrong (0009-0002-8439-0749)
Ano2001
Volume30
Fascículo4
Páginas524-552
Data de publicação2001-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoEconomy and Society (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0308-5147 • E-ISSN: 1469-5766
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03085140120089081
OpenAlexW4244039762
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas18
Referências citadas2

Key policy documents relating to the 'knowledge-driven economy' show that policy makers, university heads and other interested academics have come to view the task of creating science-based industries through the lens of enterprise ideology.Proceeding on the assumption that the scientific fundamentals are already in place, the belief is that industrial applications can be achieved by infusions of enterprise. Such a framing is attractive to those unwilling or unable to engage with the complexities of scientific research or new product development. It offers a surface intelligibility combined with an apparent amenability to straightforward policy interventions. At the same time it is quite unclear, apart from the taking of risks, what attributes and behaviours are actually involved in enterprise. Even the relevance of risk is questionable. Despite the ideological pressure to demonstrate a link between entrepreneurship and risk, none of the relevant research has succeeded in doing so. Nor has risk been a prevalent feature of new venture creation in general and science-based start-ups in particular. The policy is an act of faith, based neither on research nor on experience. Its reliance on enterprise is less a solution than a hope that one will spontaneously appear. Keywords: EnterpriseEntrepreneurshipIdeologyScience policyNew economyUniversities

Business · Economic system · Economics · Economy · Ideology · Knowledge economy · Market economy · Neoclassical economics · Political science · Politics · Profit (economics · Economic Theory and Institutions · Regional Development and Policy