EXPLORING THE LIMITS OF LOCAL ABSORPTION OF PUBLICLY FUNDED KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

This paper examines the limited domestic utilization of publicly funded scientific knowledge in Argentina, focusing on patentable innovations generated by public researchers. The analysis investigates how, and by whom, these innovations are transferred. The study proceeds in three stages: (1) identifying patent applications filed by scientists with public funding and determining their ownership; (2) surveying those inventors about licensing and commercial use; and (3) conducting in-depth interviews with selected inventors to explore barriers to local transfer. The results indicate that very few public inventions are exploited domestically: only 12% of patents have been commercially used and 28% licensed—figures comparable to those reported in other countries. Moreover, more than half of the patents are not owned by Argentine institutions, and 22.9% are owned by foreign entities, most of which are filed abroad. This pattern points to a significant “cognitive appropriation” of knowledge by external actors. On the basis of these findings, a typology of constraints on technology transfer is proposed, and policy implications are discussed to ensure that publicly funded research more effectively supports national development.