Showing papers in "Prometheus in 1983"
TL;DR: For example, Australia seeks to emerge from the depths of recession and to break free from the syndrome of giving everincreasing protection to a decaying manufacturing sector, by encouraging high technology industry.
Abstract: Australia seeks to emerge from the depths of recession and to break free from the syndrome of giving ever-increasing protection to a decaying manufacturing sector, by encouraging high technology industry. Silicon Valley, the home of much of the world's semiconductor industry, is often seen as the appropriate model for the development of such industry. For those used to dealing with the siting and encouragement of conventional industry, it can seem that high technology industry, with no heavy raw material input or bulky product output and requiring no large labour pool or local market, in fact has no special requirements at all. Others look to the Silicon Valley model and plan science or technology parks to reproduce the factors they believe responsible for that phenomenon. For example, great emphasis is generally placed on proximity to universities, apparently in ignorance of the very minor role universities played in the growth of the semiconductor industry, and of the great practical divide between scie...
24 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compare various formal evaluation schemes for evaluating benefits and costs of rural research projects and conclude that in most circumstances encountered in Australian rural research the optimal type of evaluation would be relatively unsophisticated.
Abstract: Diverse methods are available for evaluating benefits and costs of rural research projects. They have been developed in response to a felt need for information in a highly uncertain environment. These formal evaluation schemes are compared in an attempt to show whether any offer useful guidelines for rational allocation of research funds. The outcome is a series of conjectures on the level of effort to devote to research evaluation, and hence on the techniques which should be used. In most circumstances encountered in Australian rural research the optimal type of evaluation would be relatively unsophisticated.
24 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors reviewed recent evidence on technology transfer to the rapidly growing Western Pacific region, where most developing countries have adopted relatively liberal policies towards the importation of technology and equity capital.
Abstract: This paper reviews recent evidence on technology transfer to the rapidly growing Western Pacific region, where most developing countries have adopted relatively liberal policies towards the importation of technology and equity capital. In recent years Japan has emerged as a major supplier of technology to the region. Moreover, there have been important changes in the international technology market, which has become larger and more competitive. Nevertheless, many aspects of technology imports have been criticised, including the conditions attached to its sale, and its appropriateness for low income countries. The arguments for limited regulation of technology flows are assessed and the economic and administrative difficulties pointed out. From the host country viewpoint, the policies influencing diffusion of technology within the country seem to be at least as important as the policies directly bearing on technology transfer from overseas.
12 citations
TL;DR: The history of technology in Australia stands as a broad and relatively empty canvas on which to depict the major underpinnings and their social interconnections of an increasingly industrialised society.
Abstract: Australian history has been conspicuously short on the examination of the history of technical subjects and of the role technological development has played in the country's evolution. As early as 1961, Geoffrey Blainey observed: “We historians are uneasy outside the old triad of political, social and religious history; we are inclined to avoid the history of technical subjects even more than did the historians of the last century with their narrower compass of history.” The comment remains valid today. The history of technology in Australia stands as a broad and relatively empty canvas on which to depict the major underpinnings – and their social interconnections – of an increasingly industrialised society.
11 citations
TL;DR: Technological sovereignty is the capability and the freedom to select, to acquire or acquire and to apply, build upon and exploit commercially technology needed for industrial innovation as mentioned in this paper, which is to be distinguished from technological self-sufficiency, which is the possession of, or the ability to generate readily, all technology required.
Abstract: Technological sovereignty is the capability and the freedom to select, to generate or acquire and to apply, build upon and exploit commercially technology needed for industrial innovation. It is to be distinguished from technological self-sufficiency, which is the possession of, or the ability to generate readily, all technology required. Australia's past failure to take the sovereignty factor into account has far-reaching implications for future industry/technology strategy.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify particular parallels in the debates and rhetoric about science in Australia from the 1940s to the 1980s and argue that shifting political and economic contexts condition scientists' preferred strategies of self-legitimation.
Abstract: The title of this paper is not meant to imply comprehensive treatment of developments in Australian science from the 1940s to the 1980s. Its more modest objective is to isolate particular parallels in the debates and rhetoric about science in these two decades. It argues that shifting political and economic contexts condition scientists' preferred strategies of self-legitimation. These shifts may cause major realignments within the scientific power structure. Two such shifts occurred during the 1940s. Coinciding with the outbreak of World War II, the catchcry of ‘science for society’ catalysed unprecedented moves to register science as a key national resource. But the projection of the scientist as social engineer/mediator was not to be realised. With the onset of the Cold War, the scientific community reverted to the defence of autonomy and non-interventionism in scientific organisation. Scientific ‘excellence’ rapidly replaced ‘relevance’ as a justification for government support of science. The appeal ...
6 citations
TL;DR: The belief is widespread that to be effective such policies should be directed towards encouraging selected industries and technologies, as in Japan and Germany, since Australian policies broadly have not been industry specific and technology specific, they need to be reassessed in the light of these developments as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Reasons are considered for growing government intervention in scientific and technological progress, justifications for such interference and variations in the objectives sought by developed nations through their science and technology policies. Many governments of developed countries now place high priority on using science and technology policy to maintain and enhance the international competitiveness of their industries. It is hoped thereby to increase their living standards and reduce unemployment. The belief is widespread that to be effective such policies should be directed towards encouraging selected industries and technologies, as in Japan and Germany. Since Australian policies broadly have not been industry specific and technology specific, they need to be re-assessed in the light of these developments.
6 citations
4 citations
TL;DR: The study attempts to summarise the formidable array of results, aiming to provide an empirical reference point for research into regional multipliers, to identify any regularities in the multiplier components and to suggest conclusions for general policy purposes.
Abstract: This paper presents the first general analysis of the multipliers derived from twenty-nine Australian regional (GRIT) input-output tables, ranging from metropolitan areas to quite isolated regions. The study attempts to summarise the formidable array of results, aiming to provide an empirical reference point for research into regional multipliers, to identify any regularities in the multiplier components and to suggest conclusions for general policy purposes.
4 citations
TL;DR: The authors assesses the extent of Australia's dependence on imported technology and discusses the effects this way have had on domestic research and development expenditure, drawing upon recent studies of the operations of subsidiaries and branches of US multinational enterprises.
Abstract: This article assesses the extent of Australia's dependence on imported technology and discusses the effects this way have had on domestic research and development expenditure. Drawing upon recent studies of the operations of subsidiaries and branches of US multinational enterprises, some comments are made concerning their contribution to Australia's technological development. In conclusion a number of policy issues are raised.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the welfare effects will be determined by which industries are strengthened or weakened, and whether the technology is benign or not depends on the objectives of international communication systems and the policies for achieving them.
Abstract: All countries are finding their economic growth determined increasingly by investment in information technology. In the ultimate analysis, the welfare effects will be determined by which industries are strengthened or weakened. Whether the technology is benign or not depends on the objectives of international communication systems and the policies for achieving them. International policy must be geared to specific objectives.
TL;DR: The Australian Law Reform Commission identified science and technology as one of the main factors necessitating reform of the law in Australia as mentioned in this paper. And the implications of this technology for two major projects before the Australian Law reform Commission are outlined.
Abstract: The Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission identifies science and technology as one of the main factors necessitating reform of the law in Australia. The way in which informatics, one of the most dynamic technologies of today, has penetrated Australian society is described. The implications of this technology for two major projects before the Australian Law Reform Commission are then outlined. The first is the design of new laws to protect privacy of the individual in the growing computerisation of personal data. The second is the adaptation of the law of evidence, from a system highly dependent on oral testimony to one responsive to computer and computer generated testimony. The author then outlines a number of future issues concerning the interface between informatics and the law. He proposes the establishment of permanent machinery to examine the mosaic of computer law topics. Finally, he examines impediments to the computerisation of land information systems – as a species of the way in whic...
TL;DR: In this paper, prospective change in the industrial relations system, during the Hawke Government era, from an information system perspective, is viewed, and problems of disclosure are analysed against international trends, and reform proposals for Australian disclosure policies are critically examined.
Abstract: This article views prospective change in the industrial relations system, during the Hawke Government era, from an information system perspective. Exogenous forces emanating from technological change, cyclical and structural unemployment, and the framework of an incomes-prices policy, suggest that contentious policy issues of company information disclosure to unions and employees will occupy a prominent place on the agenda for the future of Australian industrial relations. Problems of disclosure are analysed against international trends, and reform proposals for Australian disclosure policies are critically examined. Some options are elaborated for the development of improved disclosure practices.
TL;DR: The pervasiveness of microelectronic-based technologies and rising levels of unemployment have led to special attention being paid to the role of technology in the workplace Prescriptive statements about this impact have failed to do justice to the contingent and contested nature of these changes Recognition of the quasi-political nature of the process may disrupt the hygienic tone of these prescriptions, but should lead to a more realistic appreciation of this process This argument is illustrated with reference to both employment numbers and the nature of work.
Abstract: The pervasiveness of microelectronic-based technologies and rising levels of unemployment have led to special attention being paid to the role of technology in the workplace Prescriptive statements about this impact have failed to do justice to the contingent and contested nature of these changes Recognition of the quasi-political nature of this process may disrupt the hygienic tone of these prescriptions, but should lead to a more realistic appreciation of this process This argument is illustrated with reference to both employment numbers and the nature of work
TL;DR: In this paper, a number of factors which determine the demand for enrichment services are identified and projections of enrichment capacity and requirements to the year 2000 are discussed and an outline of the nuclear fuel cycle is given.
Abstract: A number of factors which determine the demand for enrichment services are identified and projections of enrichment capacity and requirements to the year 2000 are discussed. An outline of the nuclear fuel cycle is given. The prospects for the establishment of an Australian enrichment supply industry during the 1990s are considered. It is concluded that those prospects are limited by the depressed state of the world market and the lack of a domestic market.
TL;DR: The failure of a Patient Monitor Nurse Call (PMNC) system in a large metropolitan teaching hospital is reported and an evaluation is carried out to establish the reasons for failure and future design requirements.
Abstract: The failure of a Patient Monitor Nurse Call (PMNC) system in a large metropolitan teaching hospital is reported and an evaluation is carried out to establish the reasons for failure and future design requirements.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify fundamental changes in regulatory rules in the formative years of the 1920s and relate them to the interests they affected, and identify the characteristics of the early shape of the broadcasting industry: private firms dependent on revenue from government imposed listeners' licence fees.
Abstract: Australian broadcasting has always been subject to government regulation. This paper identifies fundamental changes in regulatory rules in the formative years of the 1920s and relates them to the interests they affected. Pressure by radio dealers determined the character of initial regulation and therefore the early shape of the broadcasting industry: private firms dependent on revenue from government-imposed listeners’ licence fees. Government initiative, quite independent of private lobbying, ended that system. Seeking to subsidise broadcasting in small States and rural areas, it ‘expropriated’ the pioneers in 1929 and replaced them with a single Australia-wide revenue-supported private program contractor using transmission facilities provided by the PMG Department – an immediate forerunner to the creation of the ABC in 1932.
TL;DR: A review of the economics of newspaper publishing reveals that scale economies of production are largely responsible for the tendency of newspaper markets in cities and towns to be dominated by a single title and that the combined effect of economies of scale and newspaper firms' drive towards growth is likely to bring about a high concentration of newspaper ownership as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Diversity of newspaper outlets and diversity of newspaper ownership are both generally conducive to economic efficiency within the newspaper industry. A review of the economics of newspaper publishing reveals two major factors concerning the structure and ownership of the press. The first is that scale economies of production are largely responsible for the tendency of newspaper markets in cities and towns to be dominated by a single title. The second is that the combined effect of economies of scale and newspaper firms’ drive towards growth is likely to bring about a high concentration of newspaper ownership. It is argued that economic theory lends qualified support to policy proposals to prevent mergers between newspaper firms and to require divestiture of newspaper titles.