The economics of scientific knowledge is an approach to understanding science which is predicated on the need to understand scientific knowledge creation and dissemination in economic terms. The approach has been developed as a contrast to the

sociology of scientific knowledge The sociology of scientific knowledge (SSK) is the study of science as a social activity, especially dealing with "the social conditions and effects of science, and with the social structures and processes of scientific activity." The sociolog ...

, which places scientists in their social context and examines their behavior using social theory. The economics of scientific knowledge typically involves thinking of scientists as having economic interests with these being thought of as utility maximisation and science as being a market process. Modelling strategies might use any of a variety of approaches including the neoclassical, game theoretic, behavioural (bounded rationality) information theoretic and transaction costs. Boumans and Davis (2010) mention

Dasgupta __NOTOC__ Dasgupta (pronounced ) is a common Bengali last name or surname in West Bengal and Bangladesh. The surname is found among the members of the Baidya caste. Baidya or Vaidya is a Hindu community of Bengal. A caste/''jāti'' of Ayurvedic ...

and

David David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...

(1994) as being an interesting early example of work in this area.Dasgupta P. and David P. (1994), Towards a New Economics of Science, ''Research Policy'', 23:487–532.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Economics of scientific knowledge (ESK) Science and technology studies Historiography of science Science studies Interdisciplinary subfields of economics

See also

References