Abstract

FINQUELIEVICH, Susana; FELDMAN, Patricio  and  FISCHNALLER, Celina. Urban-regional territories as a means of innovation: San Luis, Argentina: a citizens’ laboratory?. Rev. iberoam. cienc. tecnol. soc. [online]. 2013, vol.8, n.23, pp.151-177. ISSN 1850-0013.

The paper is a critical reflection on the results of three successive field researchs (2008-2009, 2009-2010 and 2011-2013) that study the scope program impacts of the San Luis Digital program (SLD) in Argentina, sponsored by the provincial government of San Luis, with the participation of the University of La Punta, technology companies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The question that guides this work is the following: Is the province of San Luis a large-scale citizens’ laboratory? This study is exploratory and boasts a qualitative- quantitative approach. It includes several activities: a documentary study of theories and good international practices that illustrate the impact of ICT on the uses and habits of citizens; the development of indicators of qualitative and quantitative assessment; a sample design of populations and individuals; different field works (two trips to each location) and the subsequent processing of information. Outcomes and impacts were studied over the whole province, through interviews with members, participants and beneficiaries of SLD. This paper concludes that the province of San Luis can be considered a large-scale citizens’ laboratory where the proactive participation of citizens in the innovation process is planned for the short term

Keywords : Knowledge society; Citizens’ labs; Public policies; Education.

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