Adjusting the roles of national laboratories: some comparisons between UK, French, and Belgian institutions

In recent years in advanced industrialized countries, there has been a general re-assessment of the roles of national laboratories. A common trend has been to encourage exploitation of their resources by increasing the flow of technology to industry. The form that this takes varies between countries. The UK has adopted more radical policies than most other European countries. The paper argues that although there have been some gains as laboratories have provided an expanding range of services and products to industry (e.g. consultancy and software), there are also some considerable drawbacks to the UK's course of action. This contention is supported by a comparison of similar institutions in the UK, France and Belgium.     

浅谈“教学结合职业规划”模式下服装设计教学的改革方向

二十世纪八十年代以来,中国的经济从计划经济体制逐渐转变到了市场经济体制,并取得了巨大的发展和成绩。在这个过程中,服装行业也是转变和发展最彻底的一个行业,可服装设计教学作为教育行业的一部分并没有因此发生较大的改变,所以服装设计教学在中国很多高校里实际已经和服装市场脱节,甚至出现了很多没有任何企业实践经验的教授、教师却在天天进行实践性教学环节,并且教学目标是培养学生去服装企业里做一个优秀的设计师这么尴尬的现状。所以本文主要论述在新时代背景下,服装设计教学如何走出这种困境,顺应时代和市场的发展而进行改革、调整而发展的方向和思路。     

Telecommunications technology applications and standards : A new role for the user

Telecommunications is at a critical juncture in the development of technology, policy and industry structure. The industry is becoming increasingly global and competitive; technology is developing faster than it can be implemented; and telecommunications is becoming strategically important to user organizations. Regulatory bodies and standards organizations are struggling with these developments. Public policy that encourages both competition in the telecommunications industry as well as the organized participation of users in the development of new technology applications, technical standards and industry regulations is essential for realizing the prospective benefits of the information age.     

论技术标准化与产业标准战略

在经济全球化和信息技术发展的背景下，技术标准已经成为高技术产业市场竞争的战略工具。网络效应的存在加剧了技术标准的竞争，而企业联盟则是企业参与标准竞争的重要形式。由于技术标准化与知识产权制度的非对称安排，技术标准的专利化趋势在给跨国公司带来重大战略利益的同时，也对专利缺乏的发展中国家企业产生了不利影响。政府在技术标准化过程中的作用主要体现在，通过制定产业技术政策和竞争政策，提高本国产业和企业的技术标准竞争力。我国产业标准战略的核心问题是要建立起基于企业联盟的技术标准形成机制。     

Improving Technology Education Research on Cognition

In the United States cognitive research about technology education for the general educational purpose of technological literacy has suffered from a lack of a coherent focus. Certainly, there are studies that have addressed cognition, yet analysts of technology education research have been unable to coordinate their findings in any meaningful way (Streichler 1966; Dyrenfurth & Householder 1979; McCrory 1987; Zuga 1994). There are several persistent problems facing technology educators that contribute to the inability to develop clear interpretations or generalizations of the relationship of cognition and technology education. If some of those problems are identified, then, perhaps, we can address them in order to devise directions and strategies for studying cognition in technology education.     

高职纺织类专业学生职业安全教育探索

纺织生产过程中涉及机械、电器、化学品等众多不安全因素,如不重视安全生产、掌握安全生产技术,极易造成安全事故。因此,对高职纺织类专业学生进行职业安全教育,使之具有纺织安全意识并掌握纺织安全知识和技能,无疑对提高其职业素质和从业能力具有重要意义。     

The need to change pedagogies in science and technology subjects: a European perspective

This paper evolves out of a consultancy that was carried out with the European Commission over a two year period between 2001 and 2003. A working group, set within the European Commission and comprising representatives from 15 member states, as well as associated and accession countries, stakeholders and social partners involved in maths, science and technology education, was formed. Its remit was to identify good practice in maths, science and technology education across Europe and to make recommendations for policy makers in the area. One important theme which emerged during the analysis of good practice was the need to develop the type of pedagogies which would encourage the active involvement of pupils in authentic and meaningful learning experiences within these subject domains. A series of questions relating specifically to this area was therefore incorporated into the second phase of the investigation and sent out to all participating countries. Qualitative analysis of these questionnaires was carried out. Using the results of these analyses, along with information from discussions, this paper considers the situation in Europe in respect of the introduction of what are essentially social constructivist pedagogies in the field of technology and science education. It explores some of the attempts which have been made to implement such pedagogies and more importantly the barriers to their introduction which have been identified in most countries across Europe. A consideration of research literature in the field is then used to promote the argument that teacher beliefs or theories are a crucial factor in preventing change. The role of these theories in presenting barriers to change are discussed and the implications for both policy makers and for initial teacher education are analysed.     

Consumer protection in the telecommunication sector: A comparative institutional analysis of five African countries

The telecommunications sector has proliferated in recent years, especially in developing countries. However, little attention has been paid to consumer protection issues. As more people get connected to telecommunication networks and competition becomes increasingly fierce, it becomes essential to revamp institutions that ensure consumer protection in the telecommunication markets. This paper analyses the current status of institutions that protect consumers in the telecommunications sector in five African countries from the perspective of three pillars of sound institutional design. The findings indicate that while all cases analysed herein have some form of institution that upholds consumer protection, in most cases, such protection is limited to mobile communications. Furthermore, in most cases, there are only general sanction provisions that are either too weak to bind service providers or that leave overly discretionary powers to regulatory agencies, which can lead to corrupt practices, hence weakening consumer protection. This paper describes current affairs with regard to consumer protection in the telecom industry, identifies its weaknesses, and proposes areas of improvement to attain a healthier telecommunications sector.     

Problem based learning: application to technology education in three countries

An increasing variety of professional educational and training disciplines are now problem based (eg, medicine, nursing, engineering, community health), and they may have a corresponding variety of educational objectives. However, they all have in common the use of problems in the instructional sequence. The problems may be as diverse as a mechanical predicament, an unexplained phenomena, or patient symptoms. Technology education in secondary schools is undergoing a period of significant change in many countries. It is therefore imperative that technology teacher education adopt not only the technologies that have been identified as being important, but also incorporate appropriate methodologies for the instruction of these technologies. PBL offers a number of relevant features to technology education and it is because of these that the project outlined in this paper has been developed.     

A conceptual framework for developing the curriculum and delivery of technology education in early childhood

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the analysis of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum in six countries involved in the UPDATE-project, and on that basis, propose a conceptual foundation for technology education in ECE that aims to enhance gender sensitive technology education in the continuum from early years to adulthood. The existing ECE curricula in the participating countries were analysed according to the general pedagogical approach as well as the contents specific to technology education. In many cases technology education was presented generally or implicitly, embedded in various curriculum content areas, and the existing curricula did not offer much support for teachers to figure out the nature, aims and pedagogical means of early childhood technology education. The comparison of the curricula raised some common key-issues which are important to construe more theoretically. In consequence, the article also focuses on the contemporary view of child-centred pedagogy and the conceptualisation of technology education fitting into the scope of ECE. Play is highlighted as a fundamental way of learning seldom studied in the context of technology education. In addition, a gender perspective on technology education deals with equal possibilities of both sexes to acquire knowledge, abilities and attitudes needed in technological agency.     

Internetworked after-sales service

Firms, even ones in relatively heavy industries, seem to be moving in a direction in which information technology (IT) is becoming more and more integrated into their organizations. This paper describes a good, perhaps model, firm that appears to be getting better by recognizing IT per se as an actor in its after-sales organization. Both a smarter product and IT produced evolutionary changes in its after-sales operations. As the product becomes self-diagnostic, it is increasingly evident that the technology is an actual participant in the organization. These developments are interpreted in terms of internetworking concepts. Perhaps one outcome of this study will be to encourage leaders/managers to utilize some of the precepts of actor network theory (ANT) in their thinking.     

国际外包陷阱产生机理及其跨越研究

本文以全球价值链分工体系下发展中国家承接国际外包实践为背景,从承包企业所面临的风险角度审视国际外包,认为承包活动将伴随着陷阱,并提出了分析国际外包陷阱的一个初步理论框架。国际外包陷阱描述了承包企业陷入长期低水平接包而难以自拔的一种状态,其在理论溯源、概念假设、形成机制及产生效应等方面区别于比较优势陷阱。承包企业对发包企业技术上的严重依赖和对低劳动力素质的过度依赖是前者极易落入国际外包陷阱的主要原因,落入国际外包陷阱的后果则是从长期看承包企业人力资本积累缓慢、缺乏技术创新能力积累导致与发包企业间技术差距和边际生产率差距同时不断扩大。基于以上理论框架,本文构建了国际外包陷阱产生机理的数理模型,阐明了承包企业内部技术积累及外部需求推动两大跨越国际外包陷阱的途径,归纳了国际外包陷阱跨越的"单脚"、"双脚"及"跳跃型"三种模式,并对承包企业发展战略和发展中国家相关产业政策制定提出了建议。     

Synthetic diamond developments: perspectives from technology analysis

Synthetic diamond technology appears to have the capability of significantly changing the future technological landscape. Accordingly, The Institute for the Management of Technology regards it as a 'marker' technology. This paper suggests that there is a need to review expectations concerning synthetic diamond developments. Technology analysis is used as a method to understand and communicate the expectations. The history trends and applications are presented. Two challenges are revealed: First, High Pressure and High Temperature is being challenged by Chemical Vapour Deposition as the dominant manufacturing technology, suggesting that the latter should be monitored for breakthroughs. Second, the distinction between synthetic and natural gems is becoming harder to determine. This threat to the gem industry, in combination with the expanding industrial use, suggests that efforts should be pursued to establish the uniqueness of natural gems and to prevent the name 'diamond' from being ubiquitously used.     

包装与印刷领域研究生培养实践与思考

本文结合当前包装、印刷行业的发展现状,以天津科技大学为例,介绍了包装与印刷领域研究生的教学培养实践,总结了研究生培养取得的一些经验。针对包装和印刷专业研究生培养面临的问题,提出了提高研究生培养质量的新途径。     

Creating a bridge between university and industry in small European countries: the role of the Industrial Liaison Office

The frequent and intermittent need for new scientific knowledge has resulted in an increasing focus on links between industry and academic institutions. This has been particularly pronounced in the flows of knowledge between the two partners, which may lead to considerable diffusion of scientific and technical knowledge, particularly into the small firm sector. This development could be of particular benefit to smaller peripheral economies, which have demonstrated low levels of indigenous industrial technological development. As a result, universities could become increasingly important for local economic development in smaller countries on the periphery of Europe. However, a greater understanding is required of the pro-active role that the university itself can play in developing strong linkages with industry, particularly through mechanisms such as the Industrial Liaison Office (ILO). In particular, there needs to be an examination of the strategies and policies that are undertaken to increase the process of technology transfer from academia into local indigenous business within smaller countries. This paper will therefore examine the role that universities play in the regional economic development in two contrasting small countries of Europe, namely Sweden and Ireland. Drawing on interviews with key individuals in the processes of technology transfer between academia and industry (including ILOs), as well as secondary data, it will examine the general role and function of the industrial liaison office and how this has changed. It will also discuss the involvement of the university in different types of industrial links, the main opportunities and barriers to the development of links between university and industry, the benefits to the university from industrial links, and the perception of industry’s assessment of the relationship with universities. The research will provide valuable insight into the role of universities in developing innovation and entrepreneurship within the smaller and peripheral countries of Europe and will determine whether these universities are undertaking a pro-active role in encouraging the growth of innovative indigenous industry. This may have significant policy implications, especially with regard to the development of specific regional programmes to encourage academic-based entrepreneurship.     

Beyond `The Design Process': An Alternative Pedagogy for Technology Education

`The design process' as an underpinning structure for technology education is well established. A number of increasingly complex models have been produced to describe the design process. These models have had a widespread, paradigmatic effect on the teaching of technology education. The development and implementation of models of the design process and the influence of these on teacher's classroom practice is examined, and it is then argued that the paradigm is fatally flawed, and that continued adherence to it is having a detrimental impact on children's learning in technology. It is suggested that the basis of an alternative pedagogy for technology education already exists within the research literature. Two examples of an alternative approach for teaching technology are described, and some practical limitations outlined. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

纺织品艺术设计专业高技能人才培养方案的研究

高等职业教育的目标和任务是培养集生产、服务、管理于一体的一线高技能人才。目前,高职纺织品艺术设计专业的课程设置和职业能力与市场和职业需求出现脱节现象。纺织品艺术设计专业是交叉学科,如何正确处理艺术与技术的关系,并把这种关系融于课程设置中是本专业的关键。山东是纺织大省,纺织品艺术设计人才的培养对于纺织行业的发展起着至关重要的作用。     

“工学结合”模式下纺织类高职人才培养的实践与探索

当前纺织类高职人才与企业的要求还有一定的差距,因此对于人才的培养模式需要改进,"工学结合"的模式是一条有效的途径。本文以南通纺织职业技术学院纺织系与南通大生集团合作的"大生班"为例,对"工学结合"模式下纺织类高职人才培养问题予以分析和研究。     

中国战略性技术及其产业化的七大问题

在国际经济竞争越来越激烈的今天，大国之间的竞争更多地表现为战略技术的竞争和战略产业的竞争。所以，无论美国还是欧盟，无一不是把发展自己的战略技术和战略产业放到了重要的地位。中国作为一个大国，要想在世界竞争格局中获得相对优势地位，没有自己的战略技术和战略产业是不可能的。但是，中国发展自己的战略技术和战略产业，也存在着相当的困难。这些问题有些是来自战略技术和战略产业自身属性的，有些则是根源于中国基本经济结构和产业发展水平。21世纪是战略技术和战略产业竞争的世纪，谁拥有更多的战略技术并成功地使其产业化，谁将在未来的竞争中胜出。中国要在这样一场竞争中获得优势位置，必须解决好自身所面临的七个重大问题。即战略产业的高度战略化和低度市场化、高度战略化与高度市场化、低端技术市场化与高端技术政治化、巨量资金需求与筹资渠道狭窄、绝对比较劣势与相对比较优势、跟踪战略与超越战略、国家意志与民营载体。