Technology foresight in traditional Bolivian sectors: Innovation traps and temporal unfit between ecosystems and institutions

Abstract

Combating poverty is a priority for developing countries. The program "Technology Foresight Initiative in Latina America" initiated by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) is in line with this context. This paper examines two Technological Foresight for traditional Bolivian activities: the "textiles from camelid fibers" sector and the "medicinal plants" sector. The study model takes into account two dimensions: the sociotechnical regime and the formal institutions. Findings highlights the difficulty to implement a virtuous circle of innovation because of innovation traps (1) that can be seen as a consequence of the socio-technical regime, and because of some misfit between formal institutions (2) andwhat is required by the value chain. These results emphasize the learning curve of the TF for countries such as Bolivia.