Contributions of Philosophy of Science, in the Perspective of Popper and Lakatos, for the Study of Innovation: An Analysis of the Neoclassical Schumpeterian and Neo-schumpeterian Theories

The Schumpeterian and neo-schumpeterian theories represent pillars on which the subject of innovation developed and gained expression. Moreover, innovation is an independent area both in national and international congresses. The objective of this essay is to investigate – from two criteria of delimitation (Popper and Lakatos) – the scientificity of innovation theory. Innovation is analyzed from three macro themes: (1) the neoclassical current of economic theory; (2) the introduction of innovation theory and reviews of the more recent Schumpeter manuscripts; (3) the contributions brought by the neo-chumpeterian innovation current. In concluding that the subject of innovation as analyzed meets the criteria listed to categorize the scientificity according to Popper and Lakatos, implications for the field of innovation studies are discussed, such as the construction/transmission of knowledge, the escape from “common sense”, and the use of the “method” as a resource for building scientific knowledge.