Authors:
Tamura; S. Pages: 143 - 156 Abstract: This paper examines the definition of standardization and the statistical correlation between standardization and corporate innovativeness in Japan. Through econometric analysis we test the validity of a definition of standardization that is based on: planning, negotiation, and support. It is calculated using the number of full-time equivalent employees from 2008, 2009 and 2010. To reveal the statistical correlation between corporate innovativeness and standardization, the number of patent applications submitted by a corporation is compared with the number of persons engaged in intellectual property (IP)-related standardization activities, which is a proxy for the number of persons engaged in standardization-related activities. In the case of the electrical machinery industry in Japan, a significant positive relationship was found between corporate innovativeness and standardization in terms of IP activities. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs075|hwp:master-id:spp;scs075 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Beerkens; M. Pages: 157 - 170 Abstract: In the last two or three decades, many countries have used various market instruments to steer and manage their academic research sector. Proponents of a market approach claim greater efficiency and sharper incentives while critics point to the peculiarity of the university sector that is likely to cause an inefficient stratification amongst universities. This paper applies a market convergence model to empirically test the hypothesis that competition leads to a more concentrated research industry. The results from Australia show that less research-intensive universities improve their research performance relatively faster, particularly in the early years of the policy reform. However, the lower performing universities have not been ‘catching up’ with the top performers but maximizing their individual potential, given their unique productivity constraints. We cannot confirm a ‘winner-takes-all’ process but there are signs of an increasing gap between universities, most likely due to accumulating advantages in the academic research sector. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs076|hwp:master-id:spp;scs076 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Donovan, A. R; Bravo, M, Oppenheimer, C. Pages: 171 - 186 Abstract: This paper documents the foundation and work of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), on the island of Montserrat in the Eastern Caribbean. It describes the co-production of the MVO as the result of a crisis-driven dialogue between scientists and officials. This involved contested understandings of the role of volcano observatories, and the balancing of limited resources within and beyond the observatory. Challenges also arose early on in the MVO’s history within the social context of the science itself as a result of different institutional and cultural framings. Montserrat’s government desperately needed scientific advice, but the high level of uncertainty involved in volcano forecasting combined with conflicts in the different scientific communities involved appeared to threaten the island’s future. In the following years, the institutionalising of volcanological science on Montserrat sought to overcome those early challenges and produce a dialogue that benefited both science and Montserrat. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs078|hwp:master-id:spp;scs078 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Barre, R; Henriques, L, Pontikakis, D, Weber, K. M. Pages: 187 - 205 Abstract: This paper is concerned with the reconfiguration of national research and innovation (R&I) systems towards a European Research Area (ERA). We conceptualise R&I activities as either: integrated at European level, coordinated with other European partners or nationally juxtaposed. Such a conceptualisation can be usefully applied to the measurement of progress towards the ERA along the lines of: providing orientation for R&I, programming and funding of R&I, and performing R&I. Based on a newly constructed set of indicators, and using purpose-collected budgetary data from major pan-European R&D initiatives and other R&D statistics, we apply this framework empirically to the process of Europeanisation of publicly funded R&I. Our estimates show that Europeanisation of R&I has increased substantially over the past ten years. Europe has entered a new phase of Europeanisation of R&I, a phase that opens up the opportunity to achieve a further intensification of Europeanised R&I. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs080|hwp:master-id:spp;scs080 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Kloet, R. R; Hessels, L. K, Zweekhorst, M. B. M, Broerse, J. E. W, de Cock Buning, T. Pages: 206 - 218 Abstract: National large-scale interdisciplinary research programmes funded to boost scientific, economic and societal advancement often have difficulty realizing their goals. Reasons include: the monodisciplinary nature of academic research; insufficient interaction with societal actors; and funding conditions. To better understand the mechanisms for dealing with these tensions, we analysed the dynamics of a large and promising interdisciplinary programme in the emerging field of ecological genomics. As part of the programme, with responsibility for its societal valuation, we were able to investigate its initiation and implementation processes in depth, using participative observations, interviews, and process interventions. We adapted the multi-level perspective to analyse the constraining and enabling conditions, and derived practical recommendations for improving the societal outcomes of large research programmes. Our main conclusion is that programmes with an interdisciplinary and societal mission should work explicitly towards this mission from the start, as reorientation at later stages of the programme can be problematic. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs081|hwp:master-id:spp;scs081 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Casault, S; Groen, A. J, Linton, J. D. Pages: 219 - 228 Abstract: This paper provides an improved model, based on historical data, that describes the returns on assets that result from R&D efforts to assist managers of public and private R&D activities. Such a model may lead to better decision support tools to monetize the value that may be extracted from R&D, which is otherwise often undervalued. Real option pricing models are used to gauge appropriate funding levels for assets such as R&D projects that contain large time-dependent uncertainties. However, this study finds that assuming the Gaussian distribution describes fluctuations in value is not appropriate for assets whose value is derived from R&D activities. This conclusion is based on a study of 43 military R&D projects and 100 technology-intensive small firms. A power law, such as the Cauchy distribution, is shown to be more accurate in describing fluctuations in returns from R&D investments. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs082|hwp:master-id:spp;scs082 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Murmann; J. P. Pages: 229 - 246 Abstract: A model that conceptualizes the development of academic disciplines and related industries as intimately linked is presented. It predicts that the relative strength of a national industry which has a significant input on science or engineering knowledge is causally related to the strength of the nation's relevant science or engineering discipline and vice versa. At national level, the model predicts that, over longer periods a nation cannot remain weak in one domain and strong in the other. It identifies the conditions under which government intervention is likely to be effective. A case study of synthetic dyes in the period 1857–1914 illustrates how these positive feedback processes led Germany and Switzerland to become strong in both organic chemistry and the dye industry, while the UK and France declined in both domains and the USA remained relatively weak in both. A shorter case study of biotechnology supports the predictions made by the model. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs083|hwp:master-id:spp;scs083 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Satterfield, T; Conti, J, Harthorn, B. H, Pidgeon, N, Pitts, A. Pages: 247 - 260 Abstract: Communications from scientists and engineers indicate concern about the potential for public aversion to nanotechnologies. Recommendations that policy dialogues occur early and often as public perceptions emerge have followed, and multiple surveys indicate high benefit ratings. This paper explores instead the mobile and conditional quality of current perceptions of the risks and benefits of nanotechnologies, and of judgments of trust in regulation. Drawing from a nationally representative phone survey of 1,100 US residents, we found that presenting risk information after benefit information had a significant impact on acceptability ratings as compared to the reverse order. Trust judgments were also mobile, and interacted with affective predispositions towards nanotechnologies. Overall, for policy purposes and dialogues, we find high attitudinal uncertainty suggesting considerable openness to context-specific considerations as linked to acceptability of new technologies. We also caution against over promotion of benefits and an avoidance of appropriate risk discussions in the short term. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs084|hwp:master-id:spp;scs084 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
Authors:
Crosson; S. Pages: 261 - 273 Abstract: Following a 2006 revision to the US Magnuson–Stevens Act, the eight Fishery Management Councils that manage the nation’s stocks have been restricted from setting regional catch levels that exceed the recommendations of their primary scientific advisory committees. This paper reviews the impact of that new requirement using principal–agent theory. After demonstrating that the advisory committees are still agents of the Councils, I show that the process of managing federal fisheries stocks now requires a lengthy dialogue between the two groups revolving around issues of risk tolerance, management buffers, and data availability that has resulted in the development of explicit rules for setting biological boundaries on catch. PubDate: 2013-03-30T04:44:56-07:00 DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scs104|hwp:master-id:spp;scs104 Issue No:Vol. 40, No. 2 (2013)
LM Information Delivery
One of Europe's leading subscription and information management providers offering cost-efficient solutions for academic and research libraries.
SUNCAT is the largest freely available source of information about
serials holdings in the UK. Researchers are able to locate serials held
in 85 UK research libraries.
(1 follower) 
(6 followers) 
Subscription journal
