Soy ejecutivo de una empresa y no me interesa la ciencia. ¿Debería interesarme?

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the individual and organizational variables related to a lack of interest in science and R&D among people with managerial positions at companies. It explores the components of their scientific culture, their perception of science and their attitudes towards science and R&D (related to this lack of interest), as well as their socio-demographic profile and the characteristics of their companies. The study was carried out through the survey “Scientific culture, perception, and attitudes towards science and innovation in the Spanish business sector”, the first of its type in Spain and a frontrunner at an international level in terms of studies on perception of science. The lack of interest in science is related to a low appreciation for the positive values associated with it and the scarce value allocated to scientific knowledge as a basis for making business decisions. When it comes to explaining the disinterest in applying it within the company, more pragmatic, applied and even everyday factors come into play, related to the companies’ performance and the prospective R&D benefits.