Technology Transfer Framework Research Articles

Sewage Sludge Recycling to Agricultural Land: the Environmental Scientist's Perspective

AbstractDuring the next fifteen years, the recycling of sewage sludge to agricultural land will increase significantly in Scotland as a result of EC regulations. This paper describes how soils and related environmental data around Edinburgh can be interrogated and interpreted to assess (a) the suitability of land for sludge utilization, (b) the risk of water pollution in relation to different soil conditions, (c) the ability of soils to adsorb potentially toxic elements in the sludge to prevent transfer to water or plants, and (d) the operational security and environmental sustainability of sludge recycling. The interpretations can make a valuable contribution to the appraisal of sludge disposal policy and implementation, and provide a framework for technology transfer between engineering, environmental and agricultural interests.

Technology development and transfer: experiences from Malaysia

ASEAN is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the world. This region is experiencing a strong economic growth and technological development with a view to maintaining the competitiveness of its firms. The major problem is to formulate a strategic framework for future technology development and transfer taking into account both external and internal factors in countries of the ASEAN. The literature available is reviewed with a view to developing a suitable model for technology development and transfer. The model is illustrated with the help of the experiences obtained from Malaysia on technology development and transfer. A list of strategic options is discussed for effective transfer of technology to developing countries from Malaysian perspectives.

Case study of productivity and quality aspects in production technology transfer to China

Dealing with production technology transfer, the paper discusses the definition and the relevance of the topic in a global competitive view. Related to an outline of a research framework for production technology transfer a case study of companies in the People's Republic of China (PRC) is presented. Based on the findings conclusions are drawn on productivity and quality aspects as seen in relationship to the types of cooperation and the adequately conducting of the transfer process. The reason for describing a real situation is to examine the theme of transfer from the phase of recognized results in order to contribute to the development of planning considerations.

A Framework for Effective Technology Transfer in Control and Instrumentation Projects

The paper proposes a workflow for the control and instrumentation content of capital engineering projects in the mining, mineral and metal processing operations within the Anglo American group. Opportunities for technology transfer within the work cycle are identified and evaluated in terms of their effectiveness in project implementation. A framework is postulated to ensure the achievement of consistent technology transfer in future projects.

Technological Change, Innovation Infrastructure and Technology Transfer Networks

The economic competitiveness of regions in Europe is affected by fundamental changes in the worldwide division of labour, by a decrease and differentiation in demand and by technological and organizational innovation. This is of considerable concern to rural economic regions with ‘classical’ production patterns, which face major adjustment problems in order to meet these structural changes. One of the main ‘structural weaknesses’ in regional adjustment processes in rural regions lies in the lack of innovation capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises, which are the backbone of their economic development. Therefore, one of the most important tasks of regional and technology policies concerned with the development of peripheral rural regions is to provide an adequate innovation infrastructure to promote know-how and technology transfer and to enlarge the regional pool of knowledge. To formulate recommendations for these policies, the influence on firms' behaviour of innovation-oriented technology transfer networks, the existence of information deficiencies within the businesses of rural regions, and the role played by the institutions of knowledge and technology transfer in the rural regions must be investigated. Based on theoretical and empirical studies in Baden-Württemberg in 1993/94 the authors present a conceptual framework for technology transfer in rural regions.

Technology transactions: networks over markets

AbstractThere is a widespread belief in the business community that firms can rely on the market for buying and selling technological opportunities. The argument is: with so much technology development going on in the world, ‘there must be somebody somewhere who has the technology we need.’ According to this belief, acquiring new technology just boils down to finding the supplier, possibly with the help of a specialized intermediary. Several large firms have indeed developed ambitious mechanisms for acquiring the needed technological know‐how as they proceed to make and market a new product.We contend that this concept of the technology transfer process is erroneous, as it conflicts with actual practice. The very high transaction costs entailed leave considerable room for opportunistic behavior and are more likely to occur when the parties do not know each other. An effective way to reduce transaction costs, therefore, is to limit technology transfers to the firm's partners, i.e. organizations with which the firm has already interacted in the past. Our research provides evidence that successful technology transfers typically take place between suppliers and buyers who had business relationships before considering a technology agreement. In addition, we report findings that companies using intermediaries (technological opportunities catalogues, databases, fairs, etc.) have been disappointed in their attempts to find new technologies from unknown sources.Because of the high risk of opportunistic behavior, it is practically impossible to assess the value of a technology without knowing who sells it. Similarly, the technology transfer capabilities of a company are difficult to appraise without prior knowledge through business interaction. To a certain extent, it may be better to buy any technology from a partner that one knows well than to buy a supposedly good technology from a firm with which one has had no experience. To put it bluntly: the identity of the partner may actually matter more than the technology being traded!Consequently, the relevant framework for technology transfer is built on a ‘network concept’ rather than the ‘market concept’. Firms wishing to acquire new technology should turn first to their network of trusted business partners, looking for available technological opportunities instead of trying to buy technology from unrelated organizations.

The Army High Performance Computing Research Center

The US Army High Performance Computing Research Center (AHPCRC) provides nationwide leadership in high performance computing (HPC) research. Its supercomputing resources are maintained and operated by the Minnesota Supercomputer Center, Inc. AHPCRC researchers are developing novel techniques and advanced algorithms and applying them to physical problems, as well as evaluating and using advanced computing platforms for HPC applications. The Center trains future scientists and engineers by sponsoring computer science educational research at the undergraduate, MS, PhD, and postdoctoral levels. It provides a framework for HPC technology transfer and infrastructure support to Army laboratories by conducting joint research projects between Army scientists and Center researchers; by jointly supervising the staff scientists placed by the Center at the Army laboratories; and by encouraging visits between Army scientists and Center researchers. Finally, the AHPCRC provides a state-of-the-art HPC environment to its academic partners, to Army and Defense Department scientists, and to industrial and international collaborators.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Knowledge-based technology transfer

This paper details a knowledge-based Technology Transfer Framework which attempts to ameliorate the transfer of technology between differing user communities through the use of knowledge-based authoring and browsing facilities. In contrast to current techniques, the system incorporates a large corpus of domain knowledge in a central and easily accessible information pooh In order to allow users to “intelligently” browse and navigate the information, there are a number of features available. These include the definition of a View or Perspective which can prune the knowledge base for pertinent domain information. The system architecture also includes a User Modelling component which combines explicit acquisition techniques, stereotypes, and implicit acquisition rules in order to create a dynamic model of the user’s domain expertise. The information contained in the User Model attempts to ensure that the user follows a “logical” path through the knowledge base and sufficient help is provided during a consultation in order that the information which is accessed can be readily understood.

Expert systems in manufacturing. Part 2: A management framework for expert-systems innovation and technology transfer

Abstract Current approaches to expert systems technology transfer have tended to focus upon the marketing and servicing of technology capabilities and potential whilst remaining uncertain about the process factors which determine how this technology may be applied and adopted effectively. Furthermore, much of current expert systems research work and literature addresses these issues from the viewpoint of the supplier or donor whilst overlooking the importance of human and organisational perspectives which shed light on the means of delivery and take-up within the recipient organisation . The paper, the second of two that look at expert systems innovation in manufacturing, argues for greater consideration of the characteristics, processes and mechanisms of technology transfer. It defines a new conceptual basis for technology transfer which stresses a ‘needs-driven’ process of change; this highlights the importance of context as well as content in expert systems transfer and implementation. From this, a management framework is outlined and is used to rationalise the transfer problems and needs described in the first paper following a survey of 145 manufacturing users. It is also shown how this framework may be used to understand more about the multi-level and multi-dimensional needs and effects of technology induced change and therefore how it may be used to help senior management strategically plan and co-ordinate expert systems programmes in their organisations.

The Technology Innovation Act of 1980, Ancillary Legislation, Public Policy, and Marketing: The Interfaces

For decades the federal government of the United States has invested billions of dollars in extremely “high-tech” research at a handful of national engineering laboratories around the country. Recently, a flurry of legislative mandates (perhaps the most pointed of which is the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980; Public Law 96–480) have been issued to transfer results of these taxpayer-funded efforts to the private sector. However, the process has proceeded at a glacial pace. In this paper the authors summarize the legal framework and public policy dimensions of technology transfer, assess the role of marketing therein, and report on an exploratory study.

Transferring technology to developing countries—Critical factors for success

This article introduces a decision framework for technology transfer from the developed countries (DCs) or multinational corporations (MNCs) to less developed countries (LDCs). This framework considers technology as an important strategic variable in national development planning. By considering technology transfer in a formal planning process, the LDCs and MNCs may reduce the risks associated with the transfer of inappropriate technology. This framework takes a holistic or systemic view of technology transfer and suggests how technology can progress through research and development. Technology progression may lead to long term economic growth for LDCs.

A framework for technology transfer within the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute

The University of Edinburgh established the Artificial Institute (AIAI) in 1984 with the objective of transferring the technologies of artificial intelligence from the academic research environment to the practical worlds of commerce, government and industry.

Reconsideration of the agricultural transfer model

The cooperative extension system in American agriculture is widely viewed as the paradigmatic public sector technology transfer system. Empirical evidence supports the view that research and extension are complementary inputs in increasing agricultural productivity. Cooperative extension, however, does not perceive itself as a technology transfer system; but as an informal education system. Many participants at the federal, landgrant university, or county levels in cooperative extension would not recognize their work within a technology transfer framework. Moreover, many would object to such a characterization of their work. The differences in perspective is accounted for, in part, by the fact that agricultural extension is part of the larger system of cooperative extension. This system, which encompasses agriculture, home economics, 4-H and community and rural development, requires a more encompassing framework than technology transfer to provide an integrated rationals for its program elements. Within the technology transfer framework, the roles of the different components of the system across the states are both highly variable and changing. Based on site interviews in nine states, analysis is presented of the current and prospective roles of extension specialists and county agents.