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Materials and Man's Needs Materials Science and Engineering -- Volume IV, Aspects of Materials Technology Abroad (1975) / Chapter Skim
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Technology Enhancement Programs
Pages 170-179

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From page 170...
... In Canada and the U.K., doubt about the nature and extent of government involvement may have contributed to the lack of effectiveness of several such programs." On an organization for implementing policy: "Effective management of technology enhancement programs seems to require the establishment of an S and T agency at the highest 1GY~1 of government to perform a planning and coordinating function for the S and T programs of all the other agencies in the government." And on attitudes: "Open channels of communication and mutual trust between representatives of government agencies and the private sector are essential elements for effective operation of technology enhancement programs." All five countries maintain broad technology enhancement programs to improve the entire industrial spectrum. These programs offer a variety of incentives such as tax credits, accelerated depreciation allowances, lowinterest loans, and outright grants for the direct support of R&D.
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From page 171...
... The approaches include, e.g., the Preproduction Order Support Program and Investment Grant Program in the U.K., and first-year depreciation allowances and tax deductions on newly-acquired fixed assets (Japan)
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From page 172...
... The government interacts with industry through technology enhancement programs, through full or partial ownership of some enterprises, and through joint capital ventures. However, industry tends to be reluctant to cooperate through fear of governmental control and intervention.
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From page 173...
... The General Delegation for Scientific and Technical Research (DGRST) is the central agency, under the Ministry for Industrial and Scientific Development, for coordinating public and private research proposals.
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From page 174...
... Direct and indirect federal support has been available for large ventures such as nuclear energy, space research, civil aviation, data processing, oceanography and ocean resources, and environmental protection. Recent emphases embrace communications, transportation, health, food, and the environmentO Japan After World War II, Japan recovered and advanced its technological base by relying heavily on: (i)
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From page 175...
... Current projects (1972? include: MHD generator, high-performance computers; desulfurization process; sea-water desalinization and resource recovery, remote-controlled undersea oil drilling rig; electric car, pattern recognition systems; and turbofan aircraft engine.
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From page 176...
... Under the Labor Government, the Ministry of Technology acquired sponsorship for virtually all electrical, electronic, and mechanical engineering industries. The ConserYativeGovernment replaced "Min Tech" with the Department of Trade and industry and proceeded to decentralize government support for R&D, with the control over R&D reverting to mission agencies.
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From page 177...
... NRDC acts commercially and expects its investment back, with a profit, if the venture is successful. It licenses industrial firms to exploit public sector inventions and pays the full costs of further development if it considers chances of recovering the investment to be good.
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From page 178...
... Projects have included hovercraft, computers, fuel cells, flexible barges, pharmaceuticals, cryogenic engineering, diesel engines, variable speed gears, potato harvesters, automatic foundary equipment, photo-typesetting, electrochemistry, plastics, computer time-sharing systems, stored program telecommunications control, printed circuits, and many more. Some Broad-Gauge Factors and Policies Affecting Technology Enhancement Most of the mechanisms discussed in the preceding section can be regarded as capable of being oriented towards specific national needs.
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From page 179...
... take a rather liberal view towards industrial mergers and the formation of consortia. The argument is that large concentrations of industrial strength put the country in a more competitive position versus foreign enterprises.
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Key Terms

  • enhancement programs
  • research associations
  • program provides
  • principal instruments
  • five countries

  • development corporation
  • grant program
  • industrial research
  • data processing
  • order support

  • support program
  • government owns
  • depreciation allowances
  • accelerated depreciation
  • investment grant

  • designated industries
  • space research
  • civil aviation
  • nuclear energy
  • society supports

  • development bank
  • preproduction order
  • industrial output
  • own laboratories
  • ocean development

  • various countries
  • supports basic
  • japan development
  • private firms
  • industrial firms


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