ABSTRACT
Economists, industrialists, governments and academic researchers agree that early access to new technology and innovation are linked to economic growth both nationally and regionally. The links between a country’s level of technological sophistication and its economic performance have been demonstrated in numerous studies (Rothwell and Zegveld, 1981; ABRC, 1987; Segal Quince and Wicksteed, 1988; NEDC, 1989; Roberts, 1991; DTI, 1993; Stoneman, 1992; NIEC, 1993; Kay, 1992; Lipsey, 1993; HMG, 1993; Archibugi et al., 1995; Pianta, 1995).
