O ritmo das grandes corporações em biotecnologia agrícola

Abstract

This article analyzes the operation of the large agrochemical and food-processing companies in the area of biotechnological research and development. It examines the differences and competing interests between those two kinds of companies, as well as the internal and external barriers that delay the development of biotechnology by those companies. It includes as the main internal barriers the negative historical experience of some companies, the large volume of fixed assets in traditional technologies, the uncertainty about the advantages of competing research paths and the cooperation between firms within the industry. As external barriers it points out uncertain markets, the problems of acceptance of the new technologies by the public, government regulation and the inadequate protection of intellectual property rights.The author distinguishes between "neo-fordist" and "post-fordist" biotechnological innovations, trying to identify the trends of development ofthe new technical paradygm towards one of those alternatives.This article analyzes the operation of the large agrochemical and food-processing companies in the area of biotechnological research and development. It examines the differences and competing interests between those two kinds of companies, as well as the internal and external barriers that delay the development of biotechnology by those companies. It includes as the main internal barriers the negative historical experience of some companies, the large volume of fixed assets in traditional technologies, the uncertainty about the advantages of competing research paths and the cooperation between firms within the industry. As external barriers it points out uncertain markets, the problems of acceptance of the new technologies by the public, government regulation and the inadequate protection of intellectual property rights.The author distinguishes between "neo-fordist" and "post-fordist" biotechnological innovations, trying to identify the trends of development ofthe new technical paradygm towards one of those alternatives