USES AND APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY FUTURES IN NATIONAL-DEVELOPMENT -THE BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE

Science and technology is increasingly important to national developme nt. In view of the widening international economic and technological g aps, a critical question is the planning and management of science and technology for national development. This paper explores planning the ory, the process of technological innovation, and the relevance of fut ure studies to these issues. Four levels of technological innovation p lanning are identified: national, sectoral, enterprise, and operations . Case studies from the Brazilian experience at each level are present ed and analyzed providing the basis of suggestions concerning the uses and applications of technology futures in developing countries.