5.1 Technology Information System

Information plays a vital role in technology transfer and development. Developing countries, however, have not yet been able to establish adequate infrastructure for the collection, processing, storage and dissemination of information that is useful for productive purposes. There is a tendency to depend on the public mechanism rather on the market mechanism. In fact, in some countries, sufficient concern does not yet exist for the development of proper technology information system.

A developing country embarking on a program for technology transfer and development needs information regarding alternate technologies, their sources and prices. In today’s international scene of trading and of Internet, looking for a competitive edge in the market essentially amounts to looking through the technology itself. Knowledge about the shelf can be gained through an effective information system. However, given the dynamic nature of the technological world, more knowledge about the technology per se is not enough. There is also the need to assess the trends of its change and experience of other countries.

It must be stressed that detailed technology information, which provides a competitive edge, is unlikely to be available through the public domain information systems. It would be naïve to expect that the organizations, which have invested vast amount of money in developing a technology, would make it available to others free of cost. However, information systems especially in present day Internet world can help a great deal in locating sources of such technology.

The usual arrangements needed for information collection and dissemination include institutions for collecting catalogues of books and journals. There are national documentation centers, which can help the research worker in preparing bibliographies and obtaining copies of the relevant scientific publications. With few exceptions, developing countries do not exchange information, except through the services of the developed countries. One of the main reasons for this is that whatever rudimentary S&T information network that exists in some of the developing countries, this is still firmly oriented by structure and training to receive input from the developed world.

Korean Experiences : In order to facilitate the exchange of technological information and expertise and to seize the needs of industry, the Industry-Academy-Research Institute Cooperation Research Centre (IARCRC) was established under the organization of the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) of the Korean Institute for Science and Technology (KIST). The main functions of the Centre include (i) transfer of intellectual properties from Government-sponsored Research Institutions (GRIs) to industries, (ii) free technological consultation (compensation given by the Government) and (iii) provision of specialized information in various technological fields. In 1994, the Technology Development Consulting Centre (TDCC) was established under the IARCRC, to meet industrial needs in various technological areas like assessing results of research available with GRIs for upgrading or scaling to a desirable economic size.

The free flow of S&T information is a necessary condition for building indigenous technological capability. Periodic fairs and exhibitions contribute one forum commonly used for demonstration and dissemination of technological information. A novel approach in this respect consists in the Research, Development and Display (R D & D), which is the slogan of technology-dissemination. Technology is displayed through several channels, such as festivals and exhibitions. Various products and technologies are also disseminated through exhibitions organized by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.