Export growth, foreign direct investment and technological capability building under the maquila model: winding roads, few intersections (journal article)
by Ramón Padilla-Pérez and Jorge Mario Martínez-Piva
from Science and Public Policy, May 2009
"In the 1980s and 1990s, Central American countries and Mexico moved towards a new growth model based upon the primacy of exports and foreign direct investment (FDI). The existing literature acknowledges that the expansion of international trade and FDI may be an important factor for developing local technological capabilities. However, in Central America and Mexico a fragile relationship between international trade and FDI growth and the development of technological capabilities has been observed, due to the low local content of exports, weak integration of multinational enterprises and local industry, the specialization of exports in the less knowledge-intensive activities of the value chain and weak absorption capacities. Science, technology and innovation policies have been rather passive and followed a linear approach, undermining the potential benefits arising from FDI and international trade. "

Assessing the impact of research on policy: a literature review (journal article)
by Annette Boaz, Siobhan Fitzpatrick and Ben Shaw
from Science and Public Policy, May 2009
"Understanding the impact of research on policy is a vital, and often overlooked, element of policy-making. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine methods for evaluating the impact of research on policy outcomes. The review focused in particular on strategic policy levels (rather than implementation) and waste, environment and pollution policy. The review draws on an international literature, although it is limited to English language publications. The findings identify the different methods used, the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and the methods that are most effective (particularly in terms of cost). The field of research impact evaluation is currently experiencing rapid development, and there is scope to develop and apply new conceptual frameworks and innovative methods for evaluation, and to conduct and publish more research impact evaluations. "

The interactive effect of team dynamics and organizational support on ICT project success
By Roy Gelbard and Abraham Carmeli
from International Journal of Project Management Vol. 27 Iss 5 Jul 2009, pp. 464-470
"Researchers and practitioners have directed considerable attention to better understanding the variable success rate of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects. Recently, there has been a growing call to further explore the effect of behavioral factors on ICT project success. To address this call, this study examines the interactive effect of team dynamics and organizational support on ICT project success. The results of a study on 191 ICT project managers (who are members of the PMI) indicate that the multiplicative interaction between team dynamics and organizational support was significantly related to budgetary, functionality and time performance. Having higher levels of team dynamics was strongly associated with both forms of performance when the organization provided significant support to the project (i.e., organizational support)."
Contact the Library for a copy of this article.

Exploring the relationships between information technology adoption and business process reengineering
By Ya-Ching Lee, Pin-Yu Chu and Hsien-Lee Tseng
from Journal of Management & Organization Vol. 15 No. 2 May 2009, pp. 170-185
"This study investigates the impacts of information technology on business process reengineering from intra- and extra-organizational perspectives. This research proposes a framework for facilitating business process reengineering efforts towards competitive organizations. The framework was tested using data from a sample of 382 chief information officers or senior information systems managers, each of whom completed a survey.
The survey results indicate that organizational innovation, market pressure and competitive intensity positively affect information technology adoption, which in turn trigger changes or business process in terms of workplace, workforce and business structure."
Contact the Library for a Copy of this Article.

Estimating the innovation effects of university-industry-government linkages: The case of Taiwan
By Mei-Chih Hu and John A Mathews
from Journal of Management & Organization Vol. 15, No. 2, May 2009, pp. 138-154
"This study focuses on university-industry-government (UIG) linkages and their influence on innovation in Taiwan. The innovation effects are estimated using a quartet of measures - technology transfers, technology licensing, firms incubated and patents granted - while the UIG influence is estimated via its differential impact according to the size of the firms involved, the type of innovation (process or product-oriented), the stage of the technology cycle, and the role of government. Using a Structural Equation Model (SEM) method to examine these interactions, the study reveals that UIG linkage effects vary with the size of company, in that the major incentive for UIG linkages for large companies is an attempt to acquire a skilled and qualified workforce, while SMEs (small and medium enterprises) tend to use them to gain marketing advantage, particularly for those SMEs or start-ups in emerging industries. The study concludes that Taiwan's innovation capacity is heavily reliant on building the capability of SMEs and continues to depend greatly on government leadership through technology-capability-enhancing institutions such as ITRI."
Contact the Library for a Copy of this Article.

Biotech 2009 life sciences : navigating the sea change [book]

Author: Burrill & Company

Contains analysis and perspectives on the performance of the biotechnology industry in 2008, and presents financial projections for 2009 and beyond. Market segments covered include: healthcare, personalizing medicine, emerging technologies, "bio green tech" and wellness.

Want to borrow a copy from the library? Click here to email through your request.

Biotech firms go virtual: Biotech companies outsource non-core functions in "difficult, lean environment." (article)
by Helen Kaiao Chang
from San Diego News Network 25/3/2009
"San Diego biotech companies are moving towards a “virtual” model as a way to compete in the current economic downturn. The capital-intensive biotech industry has experienced a severe funding drop over the past year, as venture capitalists and private investors have pulled back."

Good Weekend - the Innovation Issue
Insert with Sydney Morning Herald, June 20 2009
- Five young Aussie innovators talk about their plans to make a difference
- Top 30 design picks for under $250
- It's a great invention, but at what cost? Is the world drowning in an ocean of plastic?
This publication is available for browsing in the library

An empirical roadmap for intranet evolution (journal article)
By Antonella Martini, Mariano Corso and Luisa Pellegrini
from International Journal of Information Management Vol. 29 Issue 4 Aug 2009, pp. 295-308
"One of the most frequent causes of partial or total failure of an Intranet project is certainly the undervaluation of the importance of the organizational aspects. In fact, most of the companies manage the implementation project in a purely technical perspective without systematically facing the organizational and the change management aspects. Particularly critical is the definition of governance—the organizational choices that determine the division of the responsibilities and the key criteria to be followed in the planning and management of an Intranet initiative. Inadequate decisions regarding governance are often difficult to be modified and can jeopardize the development possibilities and the Intranet effectiveness. Basing on the results of the Permanent Observatory on Intranets in the period 2003–2007, and a multiple case studies methodology, this article aims at analyzing and interpreting the choices of governance carried out in the several phases of the evolution path. 110 cases were developed and analysed using a retrospective logic, in order to verify the evolution of the observed variables; some are also longitudinal cases. For each phase it has been identified the typical approaches, the main criticalities and some guidelines emerging from the analysis of the best practices and the cases of failure. The management guidelines have been systematized in the “Intranet roadmap” that offers actionable knowledge to effectively govern the evolution of the Intranet towards an advanced Virtual Workspace."
Contact the Library for a Copy of this Article.

Essential competencies for technochange management: Towards an assessment model (journal article)
By Elad Harison and Albert Boonstra
from International Journal of Information Management Vol 29 Iss 4 Aug 2009, pp. 283-294
"The term technochange refers to technology-driven organizational changes and covers the broad spectrum of aspects that are related to and have an impact on changes within organizations. Technochange processes are usually managed by change managers, who are responsible for successfully accomplishing the IT-related tasks in their projects, as well as every other structural and organizational dimension related to the implementation of technochanges. This paper discusses what competencies managers should have to carry out these processes effectively. On the basis of the existing literature, interviews with experts and case study research, we identify and test a set of IT- and non-IT-related competencies that are essential for managing technochange processes within and among organizations. Further, this paper presents a model for assessing and allocating project managers to IT technochange projects that match their competencies and skills. This model could also serve as a tool for developing technochange management competencies via targeted training programmes. A case study demonstrates how the assessment model can be used in practice. Finally, we make some suggestions for future research in the fields of change management and IT."
Contact the Library for a copy of this article.

The Automation of Invention (journal article)
By Robert Plotkin
from Futurist Vol 43 Iss 4 Jul/Aug 2009, pp. 22 -27
"Cybernetic genies are designing and engineering new products and creating technological breakthroughs."

Mining Information from the Data Clouds (journal article)
By Erica Orange
from Futurist Vol 43 Iss 4 Jul/Aug 2009, pp. 17 - 21
"This cloud of data that we daily contribute to may yield a wealth of new, vital information. Cloud mining” may soon allow us to predict behaviors of the masses and even offer advice, according to a business futurist."

Infrastructure finance : trends and techniques [book]

Edited by Henry A. Davis

"Gives a broad view of trends and techniques in infrastructure financing around the world today. The title considers a wide range of projets including transport, water systems, power and toll road privatisation. Themes include the rising need for infrastructure investment, the quality of country infrastructure, government budget limitations and benefits and risks of investment." - publisher’s website.

Want to borrow a copy from the library? Click here to email through your request.

Managing successful programmes, 3rd edition [book]

Author: Great Britain. Office of Government Commerce

"Allows users to consistently manage a huge variety of programmes so that they deliver quality outcomes and lasting benefits. Fusing leadership with management best practice, [this framework] enables organisations to coordinate their key functions, develop a clear sense of unity and purpose and achieve the strategic cohesion necessary to drive through effective change." - publisher website.

Want to borrow a copy from the library? Click here to email through your request.

Liar Liar! (journal article)
from The Economist, Vol 391, No 8634, 6 June 2009, pp. 78-80
"This article discusses research into the level of honesty that scientists bring to their enterprises. A meta-analysis of the integrity of researchers as reported in online surveys, which was conducted by Daniele Fanelli and published in the journal "Public Library of Science," is considered. Reports by scientists that they have failed to publicise data that did not support their conclusions or that they witnessed other scientists engaging in such activities are considered."

NSW Government to cover Planning Panel costs (article)
by Angela Dorizas
from Government News, 5 June 2009
"The New South Wales Government has allocated $2.4 million in the 2009-10 State budget to establish, operate and administer the newly announced Joint Regional Planning Panels (JRPP). Keneally said the $2.4 million in funding would cover costs associated with the establishment, operation and administration of the panels, as well as employment costs for three state members."

How creativity and culture is changing young lives (article)
by Paul Collard
from eGov Monitor, 1 June 2009
"The working world is changing at a rapid pace; technology is always advancing and the economic situation is in a state of flux – how do we know what skills will be required in 10 or even 20 years time?"

Hunting the snark: some reflections on the UK experience of support for the small business sector (journal article)
by Alan Hughes
from Innovation: management, policy and practice, Vol 11, No 1, April 2009, pp.114 - 134
"The UK has experimented with a wide range of policies to promote small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Recently there has been a major overhaul of SME support polices in general, and of science and innovation support in particular. So it is a convenient time to reflect on the emerging lessons from this experience."
This journal is in the library. Please contact us for a copy of the article.

Examining partner experience in cross-sector collaborative projects focused on the commercialization of R&D (journal article)
by Paul K. Couchman abd Liz Fulop
from Innovation: management, policy and practice, Vol 11 No 1 April 2009 pp. 85 - 103
"The paper reports key findings from a four-year study of cross-sector collaborative R&D projects in Australia testing a theoretical model formulated to explain partner collaboration experience and perceived project success.The study contributes to the understanding of knowledge-intensive collaborations, and indicates how their benefits can be sustained under conditions of high uncertainty."
This journal is in the library. Please contact us for a copy of the article.

A Guide to the project management body of knowledge [book]

Author: Project Management Institute

"Updated to incorporate the most current knowledge and practices in project management. It focuses on improved consistency, clarity, and readability to facilitate understanding and implementation. ... Reflects the collaboration and knowledge of working project managers and provides the fundamentals of project management as they apply to a wide range of projects." - cover.

You can borrow this book. Click here to request it from your library.