1 Systems Thinking in Economics, Science and Innovation Policy Roberto E Lopez–Martinez 1 Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester and Institute of Engineering, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) Acknowledgements I am greatly indebted to Philippe Laredo, who suggested me to write this paper, read the preliminary versions and made valuable comments to its organisation, structure and contents. My warmest thanks also, to Luke Georghiou for his support and advice during my doctoral research, from which this article is derived. Abstract This article suggests an alternative approach to the use of systems notions in the field of innovation policy. Within this framework, it is shown that science and technology policies include elements, structure and methods derived from systems thinking since its inception. These are reflected in the structuring of a control mechanism or purposeful system to promote knowledge generation and its subsequent social and economic benefits. Therefore, the main argument is not centred on the perception of economic phenomena as a system but in the way in which innovation policies constitute a system. The actual design and implementation of this mechanism by the OECD is also discussed, and it is argued that despite the evolution and refinement of its methods its basic structure has not changed over time. 1 This article is derived from doctoral research carried out at Manchester Business School and sponsored by UNAM.