The building of knowledge spaces in Mexico: a regional approach to networking

The accumulated science base in public research centres (PRCs), current lea rning processes in firms and emergent knowledge flows among actors are crea ting knowledge spaces at the regional level in Mexico, These conditions rep resent an advantage upon which Mexico could build environments favourable t o innovation and social and economic development. Through the selection of case studies in the fields of material sciences, biotechnology and telecomm unications in a set of PRCs and private service centres located in the Baji o region, the creation of knowledge spaces is documented. PRCs, considered to be repositories of basic research, are coming to play a relevant role in this process. For the three technological fields considered, it is observe d that emergent knowledge spaces in this region are rendering space to diff erent trends of relationships that could lead to a Triple Helix model. Thes e relationships are sustained on knowledge flows that present different cha racteristics in technological and economic sectors. Knowledge networks are built upon lateral and bilateral institutional interactions. They could rep resent an important basis for supporting trilateral and spiral knowledge ne tworks. The regional perspective in the creation of knowledge spaces in Mex ico is an important basis on which a science and technology policy could be designed to contribute to social and economic development. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.