National Science and Technology Strategies in a Global Context Report of an International Symposium (1998) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Overview
Overview
Pages 5-18
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 5... ...
For some other countries struggling with fundamental domestic issues and debates, such as the United States and Mexico, there appears to be less policy focus on international cooperation, even as individual companies and other institutions increase their international linkages. CONTEXT For the purpose of this activity, a "national science and technology strategy" may be defined as the goals, time horizons, performers, Sunders, and funding criteria that characterize a nation's science and technology investment portfolio.
|
From page 6... ...
The elements of this emerging modal strategy might include reliance on the private sector for 60-75 percent of total R&D spending, a public spending focus on science and technology infrastructure needed for improved productivity and economic growth, and emphasis on building more effective collaboration between the government, university, and industry sectors. countries are approaching this model trom different d~rections.3 For countries such as the United States and France, where the national government has traditionally provided about half or more of R&D funding, this has involved con .
|
From page 7... ...
First, scientific and technological capabilities in the public and private sectors are heavily centralized geographically around Mexico City. Second, there is a strong contrast between the awareness of a small number of policy makers and middle class professionals concerning the importance of science and technology, and that of the large rural population living under marginal conditions.
|
From page 8... ...
With little need to exploit proprietary technologies, Mexican industry was slow to develop R&D organizations. Any new technological process required by local industry was acquired from foreign companies, often embedded in imported machinery and equipment.
|
From page 9... ...
There is little coordination between CONACYT programs and this Ministry. The creation of a strong independent technology agency, such as the Science and Technology Agency in Japan, might work to fill this gap and build effective links between academic science and industry.
|
From page 10... ...
Its main objectives are the replacement of obsolete equipment in recognized research laboratories and the enlisting of former Soviet Union scientists and engineers in research centers in Mexico. These initiatives have had a positive impact, but also contribute to a lack of focus on several problems that require urgent attention, such as the need to place a higher priority on areas of knowledge that are weakly developed in the country such as computer science, communication technologies, and agriculture.
|
From page 11... ...
The most important projects were the acquisition of two research oceanographic vessels, one each for the Atlantic and Pacific, and the construction of the two-meter telescope in San Pedro Martir, Baja California. This policy has been quite successful due not only to the benefits of bringing superior scientists and facilities to an otherwise average provincial campus, but because of closer contacts forced with local industry.
|
From page 12... ...
Korea is now the eleventh largest economy in the world, and is among the top five countries in the global production of electronics, semiconductors, ships, petrochemicals, and textiles. Continuous changes in industrial structure have made this impressive performance possible, and science and tech nology have made important contributions.
|
From page 13... ...
are two mechanisms utilized in the coordination process. PCST was created in 1991 to advise the president on developing blueprints for basic S&T policy, on creating networks and institutions to promote S&T, and on formulating national policies to utilize S&T to promote competitiveness.
|
From page 14... ...
The leading position of Korean firms in the semiconductor memory business established in the late 1980s has led to additional opportunities in flat panel displays, which have a similar technological foundation. In nuclear power generation, Korea's focus on lower-cost reactors has opened market opportunities in a wide range of developing countries.
|
From page 15... ...
Also during this period other nations developed the capacity to rapidly commercialize technology and survive in a climate characterized by shorter life cycles for technology. This led to a policy climate in the United States favorable to efforts aimed at facilitating rapid commercialization of new technology.
|
From page 16... ...
The United States wants to attract the engines of economic growth to locate here and also promote growth in domestic industries by investing in assets that will stay here. These assets include trained and educated people, infrastructure, and a positive business climate that encourages people to develop businesses and to innovate in the United States.
|
From page 17... ...
Industry's role was to act as a contractor to that end. We are increasingly observing a new paradigm emerge in which more attention is being paid to whether we create jobs in the civilian sector, whether anybody made any money, and whether we actually moved America forward along our mission for economic growth.
|
From page 18... ...
What we have is a transformation in the industrial research base of the United States that seems to have gone relatively unnoticed. Our models of the industrial research process which are based on the chemical and manufacturing industries represent an increasingly small part of what is going on.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.