Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS)

About: Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Life-cycle assessment & Sustainability. The organization has 167 authors who have published 318 publications receiving 6738 citations.

Values in University-Industry Collaborations: The Case of Academics Working at Universities of Technology.

Abstract: In the applied sciences and in engineering there is often a significant overlap between work at universities and in industry. For the individual scholar, this may lead to serious conflicts when working on joint university–industry projects. Differences in goals, such as the university’s aim to disseminate knowledge while industry aims to appropriate knowledge, might lead to complicated situations and conflicts of interest. The detailed cases of two electrical engineers and two architects working at two different universities of technology illustrate the kinds of problems individual scholars face in university–business collaborations. These cases are based on qualitative interviews and additional data and demonstrate that, while value conflicts emerge on the organizational level, it is primarily the individual researcher who must deal with such conflicts. This analysis adds to existing studies in two ways: first, it explicitly addresses normative issues framed in terms of ethical and social values, thereby going beyond the common social-science perspective of university–business collaboration. Secondly, it provides qualitative insights, thereby identifying details and issues not apparent in quantitative studies. In particular, it is evident that university–industry collaborations are prone to value conflicts not only in research but also in education and job training.

Responsibilization through visions

Abstract: Vision Assessments in technology assessment (TA) focus on how constructed futures (such as visions, scenarios and roadmaps) influence processes of innovation. To extend this perspective, we want to...

A next wave of Technology Assessment? Barriers and opportunities for establishing TA in seven European countries

Abstract: This paper explores socio-political opportunities for and barriers to introducing technology assessment (TA) as a support for science and technology (S&T) policy-making in seven European countries, most of which lack any significant TA activities or institutions. The comparative analysis is based on interviews and workshops with relevant S&T actors in the countries explored as well as an analysis of documents. The study clearly shows that any attempt to promote and establish TA has to take account of the situations in the countries explored, which differ in many respects from the situation in the 1980s and 1990s when a first wave of TA institutionalisation took place at national parliaments in Europe. Elements of ‘civic epistemologies’ such as a lively public debate on S&T policies are missing in some of the countries explored and S&T policy-making is busy modernising the R&D system in order to keep up with global competition.

Comparing wood–polymer composites with solid wood: the case of sustainability of terrace flooring

Abstract: Due to emerging markets for environmentally benign products there is an increasing need for reliable evaluation and transparent information. In this regard, products made of natural materials, like the wood polymer composites (WPC) examined in this study, have to meet particularly high performance levels. To be economically successful they have to prove themselves as products with lower environmental impact compared to alternatives. The required information can be provided by a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA). The purpose of the study at hand is to assess the competitiveness of WPC in environmental terms in its main market of terrace floorings. In this LCA study, two different types of WPC, differing in composition and geometry are compared to two wood decking materials, consisting either of bilinga (tropical wood) or of pressure-impregnated pine (regional wood) with an identical geometry. The functional unit is 1 m2 covered terrace. Process steps identical in all products process chains are excluded. The impact assessment is done with a standardized method for different impact categories. Cumulated energy demand (CED) is shown as separate inventory. Under the assumption of identical lifespans, results show that for all impact categories the terrace made of pine is the most environmentally benign one. Compared to tropical wood WPC is mostly advantageous. WPC terraces may show in particular higher lifespans than wooden terraces and could furthermore be recycled as well. Both would lead to improvements which could result in comparable environmental impacts of WPC and pine wood.