Human resources and national effort in R&D

Abstract

Among the set of resources that feed and run the national scientific and technological system, the human resources assume a very special meaning, as a result of nature itself of the creative and research activities, essentially dependent on the capacity of men. After referring the specificity of human resources within the context of the achievement of science and technology activities, one examines, in this article, the human and financial factors corresponding to the effort in R&D in the countries belonging to the OECD, including Portugal, for 1963, 1971 and 1979. Important conclusions have been drawn concerning the relationship between these two factors and one discusses some of their implications in the field of a national scientific and technological policy.