摘要：The aim of this paper is to discuss the problems that Cape Verde Islands’ firms have been confronting in the process of building up technological capabilities. Based on the concept of National Innovation System as an analytical tool, this work investigates the opportunities and constraints Capeverdian firms face in their efforts to improve and upgrade their technological capability. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the linkages between the private sector and the State. The cases analyzed are two Capeverdian firms located in the Software and Food processing (fish) sectors. The evidence suggests that the State has a very important role to play as a facilitator of technology-based, private-sector development. The creation of policies that foster and consolidate the building of linkages between private firms and public actors of the economy appears to be of crucial importance to improve the successful acquisition and use of new knowledge and technology by the Capeverdian firms.
关键词：Technological capabilities; learning; national;system of innovation; islands; Cape Verde
