Title: The concept of science park in the context of Kuwait

Authors: Yousuf Yacoub Al-Sultan

Addresses: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box, 24885, 13109 Safat, Kuwait

Abstract: The socio-political and economic structures of the developing countries, including Arab regions, are extremely varied. It is not advisable for a successful concept from one country to be uncritically adopted in another. Even countries like Kuwait, which has endowed several scientific and technical institutions to assist in fulfilling her socio-economic plans and ambitions, may confront difficulties with a concept like science park. The points outlined in the Cabral-Dahab Science Park Management Paradigm allow for an identification of the areas to be reinforced before a science park project can be implemented. In particular, one has to overcome the barrier resulting from the Kuwaiti popular belief that resources should not be allocated to research and development activities. Despite these obstacles, the paper outlines the requirements for a hypothetical science park for Kuwait in the areas of environment, oil and petrochemicals.

Keywords: science parks; research and development management; developing country; Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research; Kuwait University; Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences; university-industry relations; evaluation; technology transfer; paradigm; environment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1998.002699

International Journal of Technology Management, 1998 Vol.16 No.8, pp.800-807

Published online: 04 Jul 2003 *

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