New Forces at Work Industry Views Critical Technologies

by Popper, Steven W.

• ISBN13: 9780833026514
• ISBN10: 0833026518
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-12-29
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

To say we live in a technological age is an understatement, as is evident in this book. The authors surveyed presidents, CEOs, and CTOs from nearly 40 firms representing various industries. The result is an insightful examination of the five major technologies that U.S. industry can't do without--among them, software and telecommunications.

Table of Contents

Preface	iii
Tables	ix
Executive Summary: A Thematic Road Map	xi
Acknowledgments	xxi
Acronyms and Abbreviations	xxiii
Introduction Toward A New View of Critical Technologies	1	(1)
The Issue of Critical Technology	1	(7)
Technology and the Public Purpose: The National Critical Technologies Reports	2	(4)
Shortcomings of the NCT Assessment Process	6	(1)
Critical Technologies: Industry's View	7	(1)
The Form and Conduct of this Study	8	(3)
How the Study Was Conducted	8	(2)
What the Study Is-and What It Is Not	10	(1)
Organization of the Report	11	(4)
PART I---WHAT ARE THE CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES?	15	(64)
Critical Technologies of Today	17	(26)
Technology with Cross-Sectoral Ubiquity	18	(19)
Software	19	(4)
Microelectronics and Telecommunications	23	(4)
Advanced Manufacturing Technology	27	(3)
Materials	30	(4)
Sensors and Imaging Technologies	34	(3)
Technologies at the Interstices	37	(6)
Separation Technology	38	(1)
Overhaul-and-Repair Technology	39	(1)
Complex-Product System-Coordination Technology	40	(3)
Over The Horizon: Technologies in Evolution and Revolution	43	(22)
Why Look Ahead?	43	(12)
Electronics and Information Technology	44	(1)
Software	45	(3)
Computer Hardware	48	(3)
Lithography: Manufacturing Computer and Communications Equipment	51	(2)
Communications	53	(2)
Materials	55	(3)
Making Old Materials in New Ways	55	(2)
Environmentally Friendly Materials	57	(1)
Biotechnology	58	(3)
Biotechnology and Medicine	58	(1)
Biotechnology and Agriculture	59	(1)
Biotechnology and the Environment	60	(1)
Biotechnology and Communications	60	(1)
Energy	61	(2)
Applying Technologies to Hard Problems; Creating Opportunities	63	(2)
Technologies of National Importance	65	(14)
National Security	66	(4)
Technologies Critical to National Defense	67	(2)
Ensuring Access to Critical Technologies	69	(1)
Technologies Associated With Critical Resources	70	(1)
Health and the Environment	70	(3)
Health-Related Technologies	71	(1)
Environmental Technologies	72	(1)
Transportation	73	(1)
Economic Growth	74	(5)
Technology Leadership Conferring Economic Leadership	76	(1)
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs	77	(1)
Potential Technologies Identified	77	(2)
PART II---CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE LARGER CONTEXT	79	(44)
The Sources of Critical Technology	81	(20)
The Location of New-Technology Generation and Development	82	(11)
Industry's Role	86	(4)
The University's Role	90	(2)
Government's Role	92	(1)
Domestic Content or Origin for Critical Technologies	93	(2)
The Value of Proximity	95	(6)
Laboratory-Based Proximity	98	(1)
Regional Proximity	99	(2)
Government's Role in Fostering Critical Technologies	101	(22)
Leadership: Mobilizing the Public and Industry	102	(3)
Ensuring Public Support for the R&D Enterprise	102	(1)
Mobilizing Industry	103	(2)
Laying the Foundations for Technological Breakthroughs	105	(7)
Investing in S&T Infrastructure	106	(1)
Investing in Education and Training	106	(3)
Funding Research	109	(3)
Preparing the Environment for Technology Development	112	(5)
Protecting Intellectual Property	113	(1)
Balancing Regulation and Deregulation	114	(1)
Minimizing the Effect of Tort Laws	115	(1)
Reducing the Costs of Capital	116	(1)
Placing Respondents' Views in Context	117	(6)
Points of Consensus and Dispute	117	(1)
Using the Lens of Economic Theory to Sharpen the Image	118	(2)
Comparing This Image with Current Funding Patterns	120	(3)
PART III---NEW PATHS FOR ASSESSING CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES	123	(26)
Recasting Discussion of Critical Technologies	125	(24)
How Business Views Technology-and Its Criticality	125	(3)
``Critical Technology'': Definitions Reconsidered	127	(1)
Industry, Critical Technologies, and the NCT Review Process	128	(5)
The Idea: Goals and Objectives	129	(2)
The Mechanics: The Conduct of the Discussion Between and Within Industry and Government	131	(2)
A Vision for Critical-Technologies Assessment in the United States	133	(4)
Appendix
A. The Interviews	137	(6)
B. List And Frequency Check of Critical Technologies	143	(6)
Bibliography	149