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The large number of new technologies being developed means it is vital for organisations to make appropriate selections that will translate limited capital resources into maximum competitive advantage. However, a thorough economic evaluation of a technology requires considerable time and effort. This paper presents a tool developed from the techniques of quality function deployment. This tool allows a rapid evaluation of the feasibility of using the thixoforming process to manufacture products. The paper describes the semi-solid metal processing technology of thixoforming, the relevant quality function deployment techniques and the approach used to develop the tool.

A practical strategy for measuring the productivity of technology in product development of an enterprise that considers market-pull and technology-push is introduced. The method also measures the productivity for each key technology in its development periods. This technology-oriented total productivity measurement model shows strong potential for use in various product groups, tasks and projects in manufacturing as well as service companies.

The idea of productive inertia was found to be inapplicable to the food and drink (F&D) industry. It has been observed that radical changes have undertaken with regards to processes used in the F&D industry for the last 20 to 25 years. With regards to the process of cooking, techniques that lessen cooking time and enhance quality as well as flexibility have been developed.

Various benefits are achieved from gaining sufficient knowledge regarding industrial and technological systems. Understanding industrial and technological systems enables state, business and intermediary groups to determine requirements for skills and laborforce. It also helps in the establishment of industrial and technological development policies that foster long-term co-operative relationship among companies.

A comparison is made of the different approaches used in the approximation of production efficiency such as deterministic, stochastic, parametric and non-parametric. The models are used to evaluate the time-varying technical efficiency of 15 Colombian cement firms from the period of 1968 to 1988. Results indicate the time structure of efficiency to differ significantly across the models.

A model was developed to test the effects of technological progress in the dynamic production planning of a value maximizing firm. It was developed along the optimal control problem, with investment and employment demand as factors. Results of the modeling showed that technological progress makes investments less sensitive to the changes in market price of investment goods and makes both factors less sensitive to changes in cross prices.

The participation of government in user-producer associations as they affect the innovation process was evaluated. The linkage of technologically advanced suppliers and user-producer relations were analyzed through user-producer interactions in Europe. The government's role is most significant when it is a major user. From studies of user-producer interactions, it was suggested that the effect of procurement is most significant when the technology is still developing, life-cycle costing is a major incentive for technological innovations and the use of performance as an incentive for supplier innovation.

The need to optimize field service efficiency, productivity, quality and effectiveness has become more evident as field service and logistics support evolves into a key contributor to high-technology corporation strategy and profitability. This optimization is being accomplished through better technology in the service delivery system. Advances in call handling and dispatch, artificial intelligence and diagnostic technology as well as service parts logistical support have become instrumental in the improvement of the customer identification, problem resolution and the service support process.

Technical change and innovative processes are the bases for economic growth and development. The relationship between innovation and specialization is illustrated by economic systems which are the result of innovation and application of technical progress leading to specialization. This process is supported by learning and search activities which are dependent on technical, organizational and institutional factors.

A study was conducted to examine research concerning the embodiment of technical innovations with productivity. An attempt is made to develop a neoclassical model which does not integrate the emobodiment process. Two different production technologies are presented. Ex ante technologies represent plans while ex post technologies refer to possible combinations of inputs based on the plan. Results show that rejecting the theoretical bases of the model does not necessarily imply rejection of the embodiment process.

Established in 1914, Valdar is a leading company in the precision engineering sector. What is the secret behind its lasting success? Quite simply the expert knowledge of its employees--which is [...]

The successful companies of the future are those that have made the strategic shift from the introduction of new products to the creation of new markets. New markets are created when new discoveries and technological breakthroughs are made, a point best illustrated by Henry Ford's introduction of the automobile. Following this breakthrough, automobile manufacturing became the cornerstone of industry, stimulated the growth of the petroleum and other industries, and spawned new markets. Marketing executives have a significant role to play in positioning their organizations for future success. They have to become actively involved in developing a corporate environment that encourages the generation of fresh and innovative ideas. They also must have a hand in choosing the best ideas and forming work teams that will persevere in breaking into new markets., What are the most important 'shifts' in thinking marketing executives need to make? What changes in organization structure and process are required to respond to changes in the marketplace? Traditionally, [...]

In the area of short parts turning of bars or billets up to a diameter of 42mm, the solutions proposed to the users show significant productivity-improving potential. Up to now, [...]

The competitive necessity of collaboration is undisputed. Manufacturers outsource up to 80% of product design to their supplier network, and must be able to bring together their extended enterprise and [...]

In February 2000, Carlos Santana won an astonishing nine Grammy Awards for his album, 'Supernatural.' It was a great day of celebration for me. Carlos Santana is a musical genius [...]

David G. Vice, president of Northern Telecom Canada Limited warns that failure to perceive the nature of technological change leads many business people and politicians to plough determinedly into the future with their eyes focused firmly on the past. His article tells how we in Canada must develop an industrial system that is flexible, quickly self-adjusting, and highly productive and efficient. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

A study has been conducted to develop a model for understanding the relationships between different types of innovation systems, which are defined as infrastructures for finding, developing, evaluating, and implementing new ideas in an organization. The model can be used in predicting and handling potential clashes between an innovation system and the larger organization, predicting the required competencies to manage successful innovation systems, and predicting opportunities to compensate for or capitalize on an organization's capabilities affecting innovations.

Before investing in micro-electronics, companies should check that investment will help produce marketable goods more efficiently. This is the advice of NEDC's food and drink manufacturing sector group in How [...]

A study of the Canadian food processing industry is discussed with emphasis on innovative activity. The significance of research and development, size, engineering practices and other factors are explored.

In an attempt to get the worldwide ban on British beef lifted, the authorities have decided to introduce a cattle database. Every bovine animal born will have their details entered [...]

Public and private organizations have become concerned about productivity improvement due to persistent economic crises and increasing competition in the global market. Technology that has become a principal instrument in addressing this concern is also becoming highly developed. However, the success of enhancing productivity through technologies depends on how technology is incorporated in an organization's management system., Improvement in productivity is due not only to technology, but also to how it's integrated into the organization. Repeated economic crises and steadily increasing competition, brought about in particular by [...]