The implementation of SCATT

Abstract

AbstractA brief description of the current field of Science and Technology Information Transfer clearly indicates that it suffers from a number of problems which cannot be solved unless a whole‐system perspective is adopted. A planning methodology is needed which would allow us to organize a cooperative effort of different stakeholders to design an image of the desired system. Idealized planning is such a methodology. It was applied in a large participative planning effort aimed at an idealized design of a Scientific Communication and Technology Transfer System. This design is briefly described. Various alternative strategies for implementing change in the field of science and technology information transfer are reviewed. Difficulties arising from incrementalist and rational‐comprehensive approaches are contrasted. The role of a planner in implementing change is also discussed. Finally, the experience generated with the idealized planning approach is used in order to build a typology of stakeholders in the field. They are categorized by personal traits and by institutional characteristics.