STI policies in the Dominican Republic: the influence of economic rationales from a context-development perspective

Abstract

Abstract This article examines the influence of different economic rationales in the Dominican Republic’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies from a context-development perspective. For this purpose, four STI policy frameworks are reviewed: the National Competitiveness Plan; the Strategic Plan of Science, Technology, and Innovation; the Ten-year Plan of Higher Education; and the National Development Strategy 2030. Three cycles of STI policies are covered: the industrialization and import substitution cycle; the structural adjustment cycle; and the post-structural adjustment cycle. Five economic rationales are considered: neoclassical, Schumpeterian growth, neo-Marshallian, systemic–institutional, and evolutionary thought. Based on the results, three rationales prevail a systemic–institutional approach; a neo-Marshallian perspective; and a Schumpeterian growth approach. These rationales may refer to the country’s challenges to spur its potential for economic growth and development.