Innovation as a Critical Success Factor for the Development of an Information Technology Industry in Chile

Chile presents an interesting case of development of information processing and technology. Its open-market policies, good education level and early adoption of computer technology have allowed its exports to become competitive on an international basis. This has been a pioneering approach in Latin-America. The Chilean software industry has had some initial success and it is attempting to grow to become an international player. It is argued that several factors must be present to reach this objective and that these elements must have innovation as a common oor. Government, Industry and universities should work in a coordinated fashion to establish these elements. Tasks for each of these actors are discussed. Finally, an assessment of the feasibility of these ideas in Chile and other countries of Latin-America is made.