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Hall, B. H.: The assessment: technology policy. - S. 1-9. Poyago-Theotoky J. ; Beath, J. ; Siegel, D. S.: Universities and fundamental research: reflections on the growth of university-industry partnerships. - S. 10-21. Jaffe, A. B.: Building programme evaluation into the design of public research-support programmes. - S. 22-34. Hall, B. H.: The financing of research and development. - S. 35-51. Gambardella, A.: "Successes" and "failures" in the markets for technology. - S. 52-62. Encaoua, D. ; Hollander, A.: Competition policy and innovation. - S. 63-79. Gandal, N.: Compatibility, standardization, and network effects: some policy implications. - S. 80-91. Grubb, M. ; Ulph, D.: Energy, the environment, and innovation. - S. 92-106

An examination of UK technology policy machinery, & the pattern of research & development expenditure. The main criticisms about the distribution of UK research & development funds are discussed, & the government's industrial strategy is summarized. International collaboration, technology clustering, & public purchasing are reviewed. It is concluded that the UK's technological effort is imbalanced, & that the culture, institutions, & procedures of the state are nonresponsive to market-determined technological change. 3 Tables. Modified AA

FRANCIS BACON OBSERVED THAT IN THE DECLINING AGE OF A state, mechanical arts and merchandise flourish. Unfortunately, Britain's case is now almost the obverse of this. The underlying causes of Britain's present circumstances are evidently complex but a fruitful place at which to begin is with the country's technology policy and its associated research and development orientation.It is especially alarming politically that the long run decline in manufacturing industry which Britain has experienced, and tolerated, throughout this century has recently accelerated. The country's share of world trade in manufactured goods fell precipitately in the 1960s (15 to 9 per cent), but worse still, there is evidence that imports have on balance become steadily more technologically advanced than exports. Inevitably, manufactures have contributed a falling proportion of overseas earnings (52 per cent 1971, 43 per cent 1981), leading to a historically unprecedented deficit on manufactured goods. Inevitably too, and worsened by the international recession, employment in manufacturing industry has fallen sharply (8.1 million 1971, 5.7 million 1982). The economic slide relative to other advanced industrial countries which has resulted has been disguised only by the strength of the service sector and the fortuitous arrival of North Sea oil. All this has naturally received an abundance of academic discussion.