Ghazi Abdul Razzak Alnakkash, Associate Professor, Skyline College, Sharjah, UAE

Technological change and its relationship to the growth of knowledge are considered here from a general system theoretic perspective. The traditional linear model that has influenced economic thinking and policy analysis suggests a unidirectional flow of causation, from exogenous, fundamental discoveries in science leading virtually to technological inventions, innovations, and the diffusion of new products production techniques. Scientific and technological advance should be approached, instead from a general viewpoint, as a phenomena of "organized complexity" that results in cumulative and irreversible transformation in knowledge and use of eco- nomic resources. This paper examines some of the system effects of various institutional solutions to the so-called appropriability problem affecting the production of information. It points out some of the science-technology interactions that have often been over- looked and discusses the implications of positive and negative feedbacks between the dynamics of innovation and diffusion. It concludes by considering what these may imply for discussion north-south differences over the policy of strengthening protection for intellectual property rights. Economic analysis needs to move to articulate the interdependence and interactions among the sub-process es in the overall system governing the production, distribution, and utilization of scientific and technological knowledge. The paper also tries to examine though an interesting coverage is already made regarding the experience of China and Japan in field of research and technology based on diffusion of information and acquisition methodologies applied to enhance economic growth.

Alnakkash, G. A. R. (2005). “Knowledge, Property, and System Dynamics of Technological Change”. Skyline Business Journal, Volume 1, No. 2, pp 59-64.