Conclusions

Abstract

This book has a linear structure even though it focuses on the systemic as opposed to the classical approach of the relations between science, technology, R&D, innovation, and economic performance. After a review of the theoretical aspects of the systemic approach, the historical background of the Belgian economic structure was discussed. We then studied the institutional setting, continued with the ‘inputs’ in the technological system, and concluded with an examination of the identifiable technological ‘outputs’. We will structure this concluding chapter accordingly and look in turn at the historical background and institutional setting (Section 10.1), the NIS inputs (10.2), co-operation and diffusion aspects (10.3), and the NIS outputs (10.4). In Section 10.5 we draw conclusions with respect to technological policy. Section 10.6 asks ‘What next?’