| Abstract: | This paper presents a taxonomy of entrepreneurial behaviour vis-à-vis technology, derived from empirical research on a specific sector, that of the chemicals industry in Venezuela. The research focuses heavily on the accumulation of minor innovations through which enterprises acquire their technical knowledge and know how, their technological learning. We have tried to give a precise empirical meaning to that notion in order to understand which are the most important variables that affect the technical learning process. Both the process of technological learning and the technical external linkages — in particular with foreign firms — of Venezuelan companies seem to be the fundamental factors in understanding the development of a new competitive industry which adopts a new products-oriented strategy. But not all firms do respond to such a scheme and it is thus necessary to develop a taxonomy of the industrial sector both for scholarly reasons as well as a policy guide. |
