Universities and state policy formation: rationalizing a nanotechnology strategy in Pennsylvania

Technology-based economic development programs have become a salient feature of the state policy landscape since the 1980s. While much research exists on the topic, little attention has been given to the processes of policy formation. State programs have moved towards high technology areas emphasized at the federal level over the past decades, and nanotechnology became one of the latest targets. This paper examines the eight-year process through which Pennsylvania adopted a 'state-wide strategy,' culminating in the Pennsylvania Initiative for Nanotechnology. In this process, programs that responded to the interests of multiple agents came first, and a state policy was formulated after the fact. This pattern of 'rationalized policy formation,' as opposed to rational policy formation, may be more common than suspected. Its strengths and weaknesses in this Pennsylvania case are discussed. KEY WORDS: state policy, science and technology, technology-based economic development, university, policy formation, nanotechnology
Introduction Technology-based economic development (TBED) programs have become a salient feature of the state policy landscape since the 1980s. Such programs are part of the evolution of state economic development [...]