Cultural impact on science policy, technology choices and innovation

The paper deals with three levels of interaction between cultures, defined as belief systems based on values and attitudes, and science and technology as the main fields of civilization, built on knowledge and facts. The attitude adopted by several current theories to blur the distinction between knowledge and belief is considered groundless and even harmful. The presence of culture in SIT policies or planning and in their management is justified, as all decision making processes imply values. This field is a gray zone where values and facts meet. The third field of innovation makes room without any reservation to the cultural nature of the creative processes, where beliefs, values, and attitudes together with imagination are essential ingredients. The particular situation of the countries in economic transition is considered in the light of the many cultures and a single civilization debate.