Showing papers in "Science Technology & Society in 2008"
TL;DR: Wang et al. as mentioned in this paper employ data from a survey in Silicon Valley, as well as two web-based surveys carried out in Canada and the US with mainland Chinese academics to answer these questions.
Abstract: For many years, China's government worried about the ‘brain drain’. But beginning in 1992, China began to encourage students settled abroad to return for short visits and en-gage in various programmes on the Chinese mainland. Then, in 2001, the government adopted a new policy, encouraging overseas mainlanders to contribute to China's modernisation, even if they stayed abroad, and outlining various ways they could help China. This policy mirrors the strategies of other countries who encourage ‘brain circulation’ and develop a ‘diaspora option’ in order to overcome the loss of talented people. But what forms does this assistance take? Why do people contribute to China's modernisation while remaining abroad? What are the characteristics of those who ‘serve China’, as compared to those who do not? We employ data from a survey in Silicon Valley, as well as two Web-based surveys carried out in Canada and the US with mainland Chinese academics to answer these questions.
157 citations
TL;DR: A high-level review of the performance of the S&T system in South Africa can be found in this article, where the authors argue that the main reason for weak performance is poor provision of skilled labour.
Abstract: This article provides a high-level review of the performance of the S&T system in South Africa. All the indicators suggest that, at a high level, performance has not been strong. This is despite the fact that more resources have been devoted to S&T and that there has been extensive policy experimentation. The argument advanced is that the key factor explaining this weak performance is poor provision of skilled labour. The article critically examines the recent OECD review of S&T in South Africa in this light. Finally, the article examines the proposed future direction of S&T policy in South Africa as reflected in the twenty-year plan of the Department of Science and Technology. The plan is highly ambitious, considerably expanding the scope of S&T policy and projects. While it recognises the critical importance of increasing high-level skills for innovation, it fails to give adequate recognition to the fact that this will take time. Accordingly, new projects will need to be undertaken after, and not contem...
54 citations
TL;DR: The possibility that nanotechnology will turn into an instrument to aid development or alleviate poverty has been discussed explicitly in academic circles, at meetings held by international bodies, and in non-governmental organisations since 1997.
Abstract: The possibility that nanotechnology will turn into an instrument to aid development or alleviate poverty has been discussed explicitly in academic circles, at meetings held by international bodies, and in non-governmental organisations since 1997 The different positions on the role that it can play in the process reflect particular interpretations of the relationship between science, technology and society We divide the arguments expressed in this discussion in two broad groups One can be identified as the instrumental position, which emphasises the technical capacity of nanotechnologies to solve poverty problems and spur development The other group of arguments can be identified as the contextual position by emphasising the social context wherein technology is produced, used and adapted We summarise and analyse the main arguments in the debate on nanotechnologies, development and poverty We consider the most influent opinions from organisations, institutions and meetings, presenting their main idea
40 citations
TL;DR: The work of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation (HP) in India, where its three-year i-community programme aimed to bring access to ICTs and resulting benefits to rural citizens of Andhra Pradesh as mentioned in this paper, has shown that ICT are not neutral tools of development as conceptualised by practitioners of ICTD, but are commodities produced by corporations with the ultimate aim to increase the corporate bottom line.
Abstract: Information and Ccommunication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly seen as essential tools in development projects that can create new sources of income, make governments more transparent and accessible, improve education and health care, and overcome social exclusion and discrimination. To harness these potentials, multinational hi-tech corporations are forming public-private partnerships with governments, development institutions and civil society organisations in the delivery of ICTs to the rural masses. This article analyses the work of the Hewlett-Packard Corporation (HP), in India, where its three-year i-community programme aimed to bring access to ICTs and resulting benefits to rural citizens of Andhra Pradesh. I will show that ICTs are not neutral tools of development as conceptualised by practitioners of ICTD, but are commodities produced by corporations with the ultimate aim to increase the corporate bottom line. They are imbued with relations of power that skew 'partnerships' and must fulfil corporate objectives that weaken their potential impact. © 2008 SAGE Publications.
40 citations
TL;DR: The role of the cluster supporting the SMEs’ move from competing on low costs to innovating in the global value chain is unpacked and the linkages between particular types of interactive learning and different upgrading strategies are identified.
Abstract: This article is concerned with unpacking the role of the cluster supporting the SMEs’ move from competing on low costs to innovating in the global value chain. By comparing four clusters in different industries in Asia, we highlight significant differences in the learning paths of the clustered SMEs. The aricle contributes to current discussion on up-grading in clusters in developing countries by (a) providing an explanation on how localised interactive learning, and thus clustering, relates to upgrading; (b) discussing the conditions under which upgrading requires interactive learning; and (c) identifying the linkages between particular types of interactive learning and different upgrading strategies.
39 citations
TL;DR: The technology question is inseparable from the question where technology occurs as discussed by the authors, and it is impossible to understand NATURE without immediately tackling the question of the LIFE-SIZE, while we cannot now talk about technological progress without immediately considering size, the dimensions, involved in the new technologies.
Abstract: The technology question is inseparable from the question where technology occurs. Just as it is impossible to understand NATURE without immediately tackling the question of the LIFE-SIZE we cannot now talk about technological progress without immediately considering size, the dimensions, involved in the new technologies. (Virilio 1995: 99)
29 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse media literacy programs that impart media production skills to developing country youth, and find that media literacy programmes that emphasise media production may have more positive effects.
Abstract: In today's new media landscape, consuming media content is only part of the equation. Media consumers also enjoy various avenues by which they can produce and share media content. This combination of consuming and producing has been termed ‘prosuming’. Rather than being the preserve of the intellectual elite, virtually any media consumer can be a media producer too given the relative affordability and accessibility of new ICT and media platforms. Media production is satisfying because it allows individuals to flex their creative energies and empowering because it enables people to make their views heard. Focusing on media literacy programmes targeted at developing country youth, this article analyses media literacy programmes that impart media production skills. Specifically, it looks at the Little Masters programme in China, the Cybermohalla programme in India, and the Young Journalists (YOJO) Group in Vietnam. The article finds that media literacy programmes that emphasise media production may have more...
26 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on how sectoral systems of innovation and production in the same industry but across countries may evolve differently after facing similar threats and opportunities caused by the same external factor.
Abstract: This article focuses on how sectoral systems of innovation and production in the same industry but across countries may evolve differently after facing similar threats and opportunities caused by the same external factor. To elaborate on this, we will use the case of evolution of the automotive sectors in Thailand and Vietnam, and their dynamics and transformation when they are facing threats and opportunities from their fierce competitor, China. The findings illustrate that different sectoral systems of innovation and production evolve differently. The direction and the pace of evolution depends very much on existing absorptive capabilities of agents, strength of their linkages, and their process of collective learning to withstand the threats and exploit opportunities.
20 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of state in administering an effective cultural policy to cultivate the gaming industry in Asia and in shaping popular media in a global context is explored, and the significance of localisation in determining online gaming industries globally is demonstrated.
Abstract: This article explores the role of state in administering an effective cultural policy to cultivate the gaming industry in Asia and in shaping popular media in a global context. Theories of globalisation have focused on the dominance of transnational companies in fostering today's global politics as well as new world information order. This article explains the historical context of cultural policy in South Korea and Singapore. Online game industries in the two countries show different levels of state involvement. While state and local companies in South Korea serves as significant actors in shaping the dynamics of the local industry, in Singapore state and multinational companies play pivotal roles in the development. By focusing on these two divergent locations, this article aims to demonstrate the significance of localisation in determining online gaming industries globally.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the development of standards is an important factor in influencing who benefits from ICTs, and that the extent of benefits will depend on the trade-offs that standardisation entails.
Abstract: Historically, capitalism has been characterised by socio-spatial unevenness, and information capitalism is no exception. To that extent, it is relevant to ask who is served by ‘development’ projects in the information age? In the context of information and communication technology (ICT) deployments in development projects in particular, it is critical to ask: ICTs for whom? This article argues that the development of standards is an important factor in influencing who benefits from ICTs. While standards can deliver long-run aggregate benefits, the extent of benefits will depend on the trade-offs that standardisation entails. Since standards draw boundaries between those who conform and those who do not, there is a trade-off between aggregate benefits and the creation of individual winners and losers. There is another trade-off, between a narrow focus required for rationalising processes, and the need to retain wider context and diversity. In other words, the outcomes of the deployment of ICTs for developm...
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the evolving landscape of e-commerce in the Philippines and look at two information and communication technology (ICT) applications that are being used innovatively by Filipino consumers.
Abstract: This study explores the evolving landscape of e–commerce in the Philippines. It looks at two information and communication technology (ICT) applications that are being used innovatively by Filipino...
TL;DR: The Tanami Network in Australia and the Tribal Digital Village in the US are two examples of such efforts as discussed by the authors, which highlight facets of development such as ritual communication and liminality which are important for the intended beneficiaries, but are rarely seen in the projects designed by external experts that focus on economic development and delivery of services.
Abstract: In the so–called twilight of hierarchy, networks have been celebrated for their lateral linkages, which often lead to the development of lateral discursive spaces, especially in industries where the premium is on innovation and creativity. However, the two lateralities—technological and social—do not readily come together at the margins, and require considerable work. This article examines the efforts to translate lateral connectivity into lateral discursive space—the Tanami Network in Australia and Tribal Digital Village in the US—by native peoples, communities especially motivated to generate such spaces. These two grassroots efforts highlight facets of development such as ritual communication and liminality which are important for the intended beneficiaries, but are rarely seen in the projects designed by external experts that focus on economic development and delivery of services.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present findings of two user perspective studies on the impact of ICTs in rural India, based on fieldwork conducted by the authors in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and Madhuba...
Abstract: This article presents findings of two user perspective studies on the impact of ICTs in rural India. It is based on fieldwork conducted by the authors in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh and Madhuba...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the significance of the Internet in the perception of farmers and the ways by which it has been used as a tool to improve their lives, and found that the increase of wealth has not propelled a large number of farmers at the research sites to adopt the Internet even though they can afford computers and network facilities.
Abstract: This study has selected Shouguang city and Huanglou town, two relatively developed rural places in the coastal province of Shandong, China, to explore the significance of the Internet in the perception of farmers and the ways by which it has been used as a tool to improve their lives. The findings show that the increase of wealth has not propelled a large number of farmers at the research sites to adopt the Internet even though they can afford computers and network facilities. Instead, Internet adoption and usage are closely connected with rural entrepreneurs and their private enterprises. The three rural entrepreneurs covered in the study started to experiment with the Internet long before their peers, especially at a time when the advantages of the technology had not fully demonstrated themselves. On account of their favourable attitudes towards technologies and relatively strong command of financial resources, the venturesome rural pioneers are more likely to stand up to the possible risks associated w...