An approach to the innovative effort in the Costa Rican public sector

Abstract

Based on the premise that the purpose of public service is not the same as for the private sector: to make a profit to provide benefits and dividends to the business shareholders, whose survival depends on their capacity of keeping up with the increasingly competitive global markets, which require the creation of something new or improved; and that, the concept of technological innovation may have a very particular meaning within the public sector, then it is necessary to raise the question: What is the latent concept of technological innovation and of innovation management among the member institutions of the Costa Rican Science and Technology National System.

This document, based on the above-mentioned question, presents the results of a study conducted by a multidisciplinary research team of the National University of Costa Rica, to have a better idea of the innovation activity among the group of public institutions, organizations and bodies, members of SNCT. The Research Project aims at contributing with the SNCT’s partners in the transition from the technology absorption-adaptation stage to a technology creation one.