Title: Technological cognition and co-adaptation in mesoeconomic plexuses

Authors: George Chorafakis, Patrice Laget

Addresses: IPTS, JRC, European Commission, Calle Inca Garcilaso s/n, Edificio Expo, 41092 Seville, Spain. ' Inserm Unit 646, 10, rue Andre Boquel, 49100 Angers, France

Abstract: In this paper we propose a new approach to technological knowledge based on the concept of mesoeconomic plexus conceived as the fundamental analytical unit of the meso level. We consider this entity as a complex adaptive system, in which technological cognition and innovation are emergent phenomena. In order to substantiate this hypothesis we examine the link between industrial organisation and knowledge generation and diffusion at the meso level, and we look at cognition as an evolutionary process and, more specifically, the generation of new technological knowledge and its intersubjective systemisation through competitive and mutualistic co-adaptation respectively.

Keywords: mesoeconomic plexus; mesoeconomic level; complexity; adaptive agents; complex adaptive systems; schema; cognitive domain; intersubjective knowledge; distributed cognition; technological knowledge; technological cognition; technological co-adaptation; technological innovation; industrial organisation; knowledge generation; knowledge diffusion.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.023375

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.46 No.3/4, pp.235 - 262

Published online: 20 Feb 2009 *

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