Showing papers on "Futures studies published in 1995"

Foresight in science and technology

Abstract: Emerging generic technologies seem set to make a revolutionary impact on the economy and society. However, success in developing such technologies depends upon advances in science. Confronted with increasing global economic competition, policy-makers and scientists are grappling with the problem of how to select the most promising research areas and emerging technologies on which to target resources and, hence, derive the greatest benefits. This paper analyzes the experiences of Japan, the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the UK in using foresight to help in selecting and exploiting research that is likely to yield longer-term economic and social benefits. It puts forward a model of the foresight process for identifying research areas and technologies of strategic importance, and also analyzes why some foresight exercises have proved more successful than others. It concludes by drawing an analogy between models of innovation and foresight.

Local Economic Development: Analysis and Practice

Abstract: Economic Development and Market Logic Three Fundamental and Recurring Issues Business Location, Expansion and Retention Market Areas and Economic Development Strategies Understanding Economic Structure Regional Growth and Development Fundamental Perspective Additional Tools and Perspectives on Economic Growth Issues in Economic Development Practice Resource and Commodity Flows Land Use Housing and Neighborhood Development Metropolitan Government and Finance Planning, Futures Studies and Development Policy

Technology Foresight – a View from the Front

Abstract: The UK Technology Foresight programme has passed its first milestone: the Steering Group has reported. This article sets out the reasoning behind the programme, including its Japanese roots, and gives a participant's account of the process to date. It concludes that the next and critical stage rests with the Research Councils, academia, government and the entire company sector who have to be involved and galvanised if strategic research is to be better targeted and partnerships are to develop between companies and with the universities. Whether more research will be done remains an open question.

Patterns of science and technology policy evaluation in Germany

Abstract: In Germany the practice of the evaluation of research and of research institutions is characterised by a considerable degree of self-organisation of the scientific communities. A report is given of a recent comprehensive analysis of evaluation practice in S&T programmes: it critically analysed over 50 evaluation studies which the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology had commissioned since 1985. On the basis of this analysis and its recommendations, a rough outline for a systematised future evaluation practice was proposed and will soon be put in practice. Recent attempts to combine strategically oriented evaluations of project funding with those of institutional funding of S&T organisations are reported In this context, several studies of future developments of science and technology (‘technology foresight’) were recently carried out, raising some public interest. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

The State of Earth Science from Space: Past Progress, Future Prospects

Abstract: Contents: 1 What Have We Learned about the Earth from Space The Contributions of Spaceborne Observing Systems to the Understanding of the Solid Earth and Land Surface Processes Making Earth System Science Policy Relevant 2 Earth Science from Space as an International Effort Global Land Data Sets for IGBP Research--A Product of Tilford's Foresight Integrating Space Programs into the World Climate Program GEWEX: The Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment 3 Today and Tomorrow's Earth Science from Space-Matching Programs to Scientific Requirements Global Change, the Earth Observing System, and Change Scientific Priorities in Global Change Research Space Observations and Climate Change 4 Creating an Effective Policy Framework for Earth Science from Space Space Science and Technology, Global Change, and the Human Prospect Earth Science and Data Policy Issues Earth Science from Space and International Policy Issues

A framework for a sociology of assessing and intervening in technology development

Abstract: New Technology may have unintended and even negative impacts. This article explores some new approaches in policy analysis of socio-technical networks aimed at improving foresight for technological advances.