Synopses & Reviews
'As part of the effort to produce the fourth National Critical Technologies Report, the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President asked a research team from RAND\'s Critical Technologies Institute, now named Science and Technology Policy Institute, to engage business and industry leaders explicitly in a discussion of the issue of critical technologies by gathering private-sector views on what technologies are appropriate to consider under this rubric--and why. The primary substantive input was elicited through extended, detailed interviews conducted individually, usually with one firm\'s senior executive per session, on-site in most cases. The report presents and analyzes interviewees\' responses to what technologies they consider to be critical to their firm or industry; explores the question of what \"critical technology\" means; reports interviewees\' assessments of the status of U.S. efforts and performance in the areas of technology they deemed critical; considers the respective roles of industry, universities, and government in contributing to and sustaining the U.S. technology base; suggests a process whereby the dialogue between government and industry on the public policy issues relating to technology might be made more integral and informative to the activities of both. The responses of many of the interviewees emphasized the aspect of technology as process over technology as product. In line with this vision, the authors propose a critical-technologies review process that would enable wider, more meaningful, and ongoing communication among industry, government, and universities on technology issues.'
Synopsis
In this age of rapidly advancing technology, what will it take for the United States to remain competitive in the world economy? What new technologies are essential to build new industries, to drive economic growth, to improve the health and quality of life of our people, to ensure national security, and to protect the environment? Since 1991, the federal government has sponsored reports to address these questions and gain insights into key technologies or technological areas. New Forces at Work: Industry Views Critical Technologies, explores this set of issues surrounding this area of policy from an industry perspective. The authors engaged and solicited the views of presidents, CEOs, and Chief Technology Officers from 39 firms representing a cross section of industries. The result is a revealing look at the state of five major technology sectors that U.S. industry cited as essential: software, microelectronics and telecommunications technologies, manufacturing technologies, materials, and sensor and imaging technologies.
Synopsis
To say we live in a technological age is an understatement, as is evident in this book. The authors surveyed presidents, CEOs, and CTOs from nearly 40 firms representing various industries. The result is an insightful examination of the five major technologies that U.S. industry can't do without--among them, software and telecommunications.
Synopsis
'Explores the question of what \"critical technology\" means and presents and analyzes interviewees\' responses to what technologies they consider to be critical to their firm or industry.'