Contribution of Public Scientific and Technical Associations to Development of Mass Inventiveness in USSR from Mid-1950s to Mid-1960s

Abstract

The article examines the role of public scientific and technical associations in the implementation of the Soviet Union’s science and technology policy aimed at stimulating inventive activity and expediting the introduction of new technology into production. Considering mass invention and rationalization as a crucial resource for ensuring the country’s competitiveness, especially in industries not related to the defense-industrial complex, the state essentially fully administered the activities of scientific and technical societies. The evolution of the mass invention management system is demonstrated. Organizational and economic mechanisms aimed at stimulating innovative activity are analyzed, revealing the most effective and indemand practices. It is noted that public associations had high potential for solving scientific and technical tasks, possessing a large number of qualified personnel, an extensive network of primary organizations, and a centralized management apparatus. However, administrative pressure, the imposition of ideological directives not inherent to scientific and technical societies, the creation of numerous associations with duplicative functions, and the pursuit of increasing quantitative indicators constrained the possibilities of scientific and technical societies, ultimately leading to formalism in the work of public associations.