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Do science and technology create value for society and the economy, and how might one go about measuring it? How do we evaluate its benefits? Can we even be certain that there are benefits? Geisler argues that there are benefits, and that they outweigh in value the negative impacts that inevitably accompany them. His revolutionary new book goes on to show that they can also be measured and evaluated, and in one volume all of the existing knowledge on how to do it is complied--then Geisler's own methods are offered. The result is a compelling argument that the value of science and technology in our lives has indeed been positive, and that the economic well-being of all individuals, organizations, and nations rests upon them.
Geisler starts off by describing his conceptual framework for the evaluation of science and technology and the impact and benefits that proceed from them. He discusses the nature of evaluation in general terms, and then in the specific context of science, technology, and innovation together. He reviews the state of our present knowledge and assesses the nature of value creation itself. Throughout, Geisler remains fixed on his driving thesis: Although there are certainly some negative impacts from science and technology, on the whole the results of its outputs are positive. He shows how they have contributed to a range of activities and institutions, particularly to the improvement of health and human welfare worldwide. Finally, after discussing the theories of evaluation, he gets down to the practice, providing readers with a way to assess science and technological innovations for themselves.
List of contents
Preface
Historical Background
Industrial Science and Technology: A Historical Perspective
Public Investments in Science and Technology
Development of Partnerships
A Personal View
Theoretical FoundationsThe Nature of the Phenomenon
Overview of Relevant Theories
Theories of Knowledge and the Knowledge-Driven Society
Definitions of Concepts
Evaluation of Science and TechnologyWhat Is Evaluation? Establishing the Boundary
Evaluation of Research
Evaluation of Technology
The Innovation Continuum
Science and Technology, the Economy, and SocietyScience, Technology, and Models of Innovation
Science and Technology and Economic Progress
How Companies Create Economic Value with Science and Technology
How Society Creates and Exploits Value from Science and Technology
Science and Technology, the Economy, and Society: Issues, Controversies, and a Reality Check
Science and Technology, the Economy, and Society: The Future
Bibliography
Index
About the author
ELIEZER GEISLER is Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stuart School of Business at the Illinois Institute of Technology. With a doctorate from Northwestern's Kellogg Graduate School of Management, he was associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management and is the editor of special publication for the International Journal of Technology Management. He also edits a book series on the management of medical technology and is author of more than 50 scholarly publications in the fields of technology and innovation management. Among his earlier books is Managing the Aftermath of Radical Corporate Change (Quorum, 1997).
