The Theoretical Foundations of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy from the View of Economic Schools

The historical study of duality between neoclassical economics and evolutionary economics as the two main schools of economics in the field of science, technology and innovation policy (STIP) and its role in adopting different technology development strategies are the main objective of this research. Each of these schools have different analytical approaches and frameworks. On the one hand, the theoretical frameworks of neoclassical economics are articulated with fundamental assumptions such as instrumental rationality and rational choice, the possibility of achieving long-term equilibrium, existence of the science and technology market, and so on. In contrast, the evolutionary economics, which is generally viewed as a heterogeneous group of economic doctrine that have fundamental critique on neoclassical economics, in its field of science, technology and innovation, focuses on policy implications like the absence of a long-term equilibrium in science, technology And innovation and focus on topics such as absorption and learning capacity instead of the science and technology market. In this framework, the present paper, by examining the exact and historical theoretical assumptions and conceptual frameworks of these two schools of economics, has tried to examine the implications of these distinctions in the field of policy. The results of this research show that, despite the wide variations in the theoretical foundations of neoclassical economics and evolutionary economics, the policy implications of these schools in the field of technology and innovation policy have become convergent and complementary in recent years. The issue in Iran, despite the differences of opinion, can be seen to a large extent in policy making.