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The Biotechnology Industry in Norway: A Marginal Sector or Future Core Activity?

Terje Grønning

in Innovation, Path Dependency, and Policy: The Norwegian Case

The prevalence of successful biotechnology firms has long been associated with the existence of national or regional agglomerations of the biotechnology firms themselves and partners such as large ... More

The prevalence of successful biotechnology firms has long been associated with the existence of national or regional agglomerations of the biotechnology firms themselves and partners such as large corporations, universities, research institutes, and venture capital firms. It is, however, acknowledged that such agglomeration trends may be most closely associated with medical biotechnology. This chapter examines ninety-three firms that may be classified as biotechnology-related firms in Norway. While there is indeed a great preoccupation with medical biotechnology in Norway, the survey shows that two other distinct traits are present: a concentration of firms focused on diagnostics and related fields, and a focus on marine biotechnology. In a path dependency perspective, these foci may be explained at least in part by the existence of knowledge bases and market opportunities within chemistry based reagents and fish oils respectively, which were present from the times prior to the advent of modern biotechnology. The chapter contributes to the theories on capabilities of individual firms and agglomeration of different firms and other organizations, and suggests that foci on such niches as those which are prevalent in Norway may function with more disperse geographical distribution patterns as compared to cases described in existing literature.Less

Feeding the World? Transnational Corporations and the Promotion of Genetically Modified Food

Marc Williams

in Corporate Power in Global Agrifood Governance

This chapter examines corporate actors’ promotion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It describes the discursive strategies used by corporations in promoting GMOs and discusses how their ... More

This chapter examines corporate actors’ promotion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It describes the discursive strategies used by corporations in promoting GMOs and discusses how their discursive power is being used to construct a positive normative consensus around GMOs. The chapter also highlights the efforts of biotechnology firms to promote environmental sustainability and food security as key normative frames for GMOs, and considers interventions aimed at promoting the spread of GM crops and the consumption of GM food in Africa.Less

The Third Market Environment: Uncertain State of New Technologies

in Market Menagerie: Health and Development in Late Industrial States

This chapter examines the third market environment for the pharmaceutical industry in India and the uncertain state of new health technologies. It provides interviews with leading biotechnology firms ... More

This chapter examines the third market environment for the pharmaceutical industry in India and the uncertain state of new health technologies. It provides interviews with leading biotechnology firms in the southern cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad and describes the companies' organizational models, technology challenges and new business potential. This chapter also argues that lack of market assurance limited local companies to niches with well-defined proof of concept and a few exploratory plant and other therapies.Less

Corporations, Seeds, and Intellectual Property Rights Governance

Susan K. Sell

in Corporate Power in Global Agrifood Governance

This chapter examines the efforts of biotechnology firms to raise regulatory standards for intellectual property protection worldwide. It describes how the complexity of the regulatory environment ... More

This chapter examines the efforts of biotechnology firms to raise regulatory standards for intellectual property protection worldwide. It describes how the complexity of the regulatory environment has provided corporations important advantages in achieving their objectives, and highlights the difficulty of developing countries in keeping abreast of intellectual property policymaking. The chapter also considers issues concerning the setting of intellectual property rights-related norms in the global economy and the emerging alternatives for developing-country agriculture.Less