The transfer and commercialisation of nanotechnology: a comparative analysis of university and company researchers (journal article)
by Christopher Palmberg
from Journal of Technology Transfer Volume 33, Number 6 / December, 2008 pp. 631-652
Nanotechnology has been proposed as the next general purpose technology and engine for growth for the 21th century. Increasing public R&D investments are foremost reflected in the growth of scientific publications, while nanotechnology still is in an uncertain phase of development with various directions of commercialization pending. This paper focuses on the challenges, modes and outcomes of nanotechnology as an emerging science-based field in Finland. The paper contributes by interrogating how challenges and modes of nanotechnology transfer differ across universities and companies and determine outcomes broadly defined. The results of a survey show significant differences in the perceptions of researchers across these organisations, and highlight specific challenges and modes as determinants of outcomes.
Globalization of technology-based growth: the policy imperative (journal article)
by Gregory Tassey
from Journal of Technology Transfer Volume 33, Number 6 / December, 2008 pp. 560-578
The United States became the dominant technology-based economy after World War II and held that position for decades by accumulating a huge base of superior technical, physical, organizational, and marketing assets. However, the world is witnessing the rapid globalization of technology-based competition, which is the result of major commitments by many nations to investment in technology and its effective utilization. The changing dynamics of such competition requires revisions to the centuries’ old law of comparative advantage and the Schumpeterian process of creative destruction. However, U.S. technology-based growth policies have at best stood still for most of this period.
Mapping the frontiers of evaluation of public sector R&D programs (journal article)
by Irwin Feller
from Science and Public Policy Vol 34 No 10 December 2007, pp. 681-690
Evident in recent requests by policy-makers for evidence about the effectiveness and impacts of public-sector R&D programs and associated calls for a science of science policy is a call for new and improved approaches to evaluation. The trend is towards ex ante questions directed at providing analytical frameworks, metrics or methodologies relevant to future decisions, rather than ex post questions related to whether programs are working or had worked. Evaluators thus confront an evolving research agenda consisting both of new questions and old questions asked with increased emphasis. Among these are: how to set priorities among and within fields of scientific and technological inquiry; how to effectively and equitably choose among competing performers and proposals; and how to aggregate and integrate findings relating to specific policies and programs into an overarching national innovation systems framework.
Strategies for today's energy challenge (Journal article)
by Jeff Bingaman
from Issues in Science and Technology Summer2008, Vol. 24 No 4, pp. 33-38
Developing new energy sources provides an economic and technological opportunity for the United States.
Effects of university characteristics on scientists’ interactions with the private sector: an exploratory assessment (Journal article)
by Branco L. Ponomariov
From Journal of Technology Transfer Vol 33 No 5 October 2008, pp. 485-503
This paper estimates the effect of select university characteristics on the propensity of individual scientists to interact with private sector companies. The academic prestige of an institution has a direct negative effect on scientists’ interactions with the private sector, while the level of industrial R&D expenditures has a direct positive effect on such interactions. Institutional characteristics also moderate the effect of some individual-level variables such as tenure status, grant activity, involvement with students and disciplinary effects.
In the future, the best will be better than perfect: the new biology paradigm (journal article)
by Arnold Brown
From The Futurist, Sep/Oct 2008, Vol 42 No 5, pp. 25-28
The article explores the development of biological systems and technology. According to the author, the change focuses on the evolution of functional machines which are more efficient, faster and better. He adds that the things need to adapt to the changes and circumstances, and function according to their environment. These biology-based systems include Wikipedia, Internet, virtual networks and user-generated computer games. New manufacturing model localized modularization which specifies key features, size and weight of products has emerged in China.
Global Trends in Culture, Infrastructure and Values (journal Article)
by Andy Hines
from The Futurist, Sep/Oct2008, Vol 42 No 5, p18-23
The article examines the global consumer trends that affect the changes of culture, public infrastructure and values. The emergence of cultural centers of excellence influence the potential division and specialization of labor. Half and 19 percent of the population has access to Internet and mobile communications, yet, remote areas lack access to these technologies. It predicts that the younger generation will accelerate the flow of information and ideas immersed in different cultures. The increase of access to electricity stimulate the development of rural communities and living standards.
