Science, innovation, knowledge and digital technologies have played a fundamental role in the growth potential, social inclusion and environmental sustainability of countries in recent decades, and have become even more important in the context of the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease...

This paper is intended to provide an updated discussion on a series of issues that the relevant literature suggests to be crucial in dealing with the challenges a middle income country may encounter in its attempts to further catch-up a higher income status. In particular, the conventional...