Concept evolution in science and technology policy: The process of change in relationships among university, industry and government

This is an empirical study of concept evolution in science and technology (S and T) policy using words/co-words analysis of Japanese policy documents. By analysing changes over time in the policy concepts in published advisory reports for the Government and capturing the history of S and T policy as a dynamic process, it shows the co-evolution of S and T policy concepts and their surrounding socio-political configurations in Japan. The results showed boundary formation and boundary spanning among university, industry and government, in the context of socio-political configurations of the S and T system in Japan over 40 years. Concept evolution in basic science is observed and we can see the emergence of new research configurations in a specific cultural context and particular socio-political configurations. The re-configuration of boundaries among the three domains and among modes are discussed.