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Journal Name: Prometheus, Volume 2, Number 1, June 1984
Contents
Papers
Innovation in Gastroenterological Management: the Case of Cimetidine
by D. P. Doessel and J. J. Sams
Abstract:
Gastroenterological medicine has, in recent decades, experienced two major innovations, viz. fibre optic endoscopy (a diagnostic technology) and cimetidine, an innovation in ulcer therapy. This paper is concerned with determining the efficacy of cimetidine in reducing the number of surgical procedures for gastric and duodenal ulcer. It is found that, since the introduction of cimetidine, a statistically significant decline in gastric ulcer operations has occurred. A similar result was not obtained for persons with a diagnosis of duodenal ulcer. The picture of substitution of therapies given by this study is in sharp contrast to that depicted in clinical drug trials. This has significance for technology assessment.
Keywords:
gastric and duodenal ulcer, cimetidine, medical innovation, substitution, technology assessment
The Introduction of Cyaniding in New Zealand: a Case Study in the Role of Technology in History
by Sybil M. Jack
Abstract:
This article explores the factors influencing entrepreneurial decision-making about the introduction of new technological processes in the gold mining companies of nineteenth century New Zealand. It attempts to estimate the significance of scientific discoveries to technological advance, and the influence of government, economic circumstances and patent laws. In this way, it seeks to explain the retardation of the introduction of cyaniding as a combination of scientific and expert doubt about the effects of cyanide, the entrepreneurial problem of distinguishing the one young swan among the ducklings, and the pricing policy of the patent owners. It indicated briefly the effects that the introduction of cyaniding had on the structure of the gold mining industry.
Keywords:
nineteenth century history, New Zealand, science and technology, gold mining, metallurgy, cyaniding
The Advent of Strategic Management in CSIRO: a History of Change
by Joe Flood
Abstract:
Australia's major government research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), has recently changed its style of management. This paper traces the development of CSIRO from an institutional research organization to a body taking responsibility for Australian's strategic civilian research, from an organizational perspective. The problems that this change might create in disturbing the organizational balance are outlined. Possible remedies to counter-balance and stabilize the strategic bureaucratic trend are innovative forms of organizational structure, the strengthening of individual incentives to perform applied work, increased exposure of CSIRO scientists to external influences, and improved community involvement in CSIRO's decision-making structure.
Keywords:
science, organization, strategic research, CSIRO
Coronary Incentive Care for Cardiac Infarction: a Case Study of the Diffusion of High Technology in the Australian Hosptical Sector
by Karen Ann Sampford
Abstract:
Although technological change processes in agriculture and industry have been extensively studies, studies of technological change processes in the service sector are, to date, limited in number. In this paper, findings of a case study of the diffusion of coronary care facilities in the Australian hospital sector are presented and discussed. Comparisons are drawn with other studies of innovation and diffusion in both profit and not-for-profit settings in this country and overseas. A review of the history of treatment for coronary heart disease serves to emphasise that technologies, thought to be of worth, are too often introduced only to be later discarded. Comprehensive technology assessment is proposed as a viable alternative to the ad hoc approach which presently characterises the adoption of medical innovations.
Keywords:
diffusion, coronary care, medical technological services
Recent Trends in Australian Government Policies for Technological Innovation
by Richard Joseph
Abstract:
This paper examines the rhetoric underlying policies for technological innovation in Australian over the past five or six years. The analysis is based on two approaches to policies for technological innovation which compete in the political arena: non-interventionism and economic nationalism. These approaches are completely general and aim to outline the scope of the rhetoric surrounding policies for technological innovation. Major policy statements and reports of the Liberal government prior to the federal election in March 1983 are analysed in terms of the two approaches, as is the Science and Technology Platform and pre-election statements of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). Recent policy initiatives taken by the Labor government are also reviewed. It is concluded that the rhetoric of the non-interventionist approach has dominated the development of policies for technological innovation up to March 1983. The ALP rhetoric is more in line with economic nationalism and this is seen to provide some challenges to the implementation and possible success of more direct measures to stimulate technological innovation. However, the most recent policy initiatives taken by the new government suggest that if the rhetoric of the ALP platform and pre-election statements is to be put into practice, much more needs to be done.
Keywords:
Australian government, innovation policy, technological innovation
The ATS-1 Communication Model: Quasi-mass Audio Networks for Education and Social Service
by James C. Lange
Abstract:
The ATS-1 satellite is used for social service audioconference networks in the Pacific Islands. Channel limitations restrict the communication efficiency of these networks, but not so badly as to drop them below accepted standards for telecommunication systems. Emulating the ATS-1 model over higher quality satellite and/or terrestrial links can bring great social benefit at considerable cost savings in comparison with standard common carrier service. Design, planning and training considerations for such networks are suggested by the ATS-1 model.
Keywords:
telecommunications, communication networks, audioconferencing, satellite, quasi-mass media
Exogenous Factors in Economic Theory
by D. McL. Lamberton
Abstract:
Economists have frequently treated technological change as exogenous, as having important economic consequences but not being controlled by economic forces. This justifies reporting a current attempt to develop an international, interdisciplinary discussion of exogenous factors in economics.
Keywords:
exogenous factors, economic theory, interdisciplinary research, technological change
(This journal is available online: http://www.tandf.co.uk/online.html)
Posted with permission from the publisher.
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