scholarly journals Biotechnology policy in European countries: An assessment

10.5912/jcb92 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Zechendorf

For more than 20 years, all major European governments have put biotechnology as a priority on their innovation policy agendas. How did each of the three big countries – France, the UK and Germany – manage their biotechnology policy, and what results have they achieved? A project funded by the European Commission tried to find out by assessing, over the period 1994–2001, the development of the knowledge base, patent activities, technology transfer measures, regulatory policy, industry promotion measure and public opinion. By adding data from other sources, the author presents a dynamic picture of each country's policy and development up to 2003.

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-392
Author(s):  
Andrea Pritoni

AbstractIn any democratic system, the question of whether governments pay attention to citizens’ needs and requests represents a crucial component of democratic quality. But what conditions favour this fundamental democratic process? This article compares policy priorities identified by public opinion with the actual legislative production in Italy, Spain and the UK from 2003 to 2012. The article’s methodology is a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in which causal conditions are represented by politico-institutional and contextual factors, while the outcome consists of the degree of overlap between public opinion priorities and legislation. Empirical analysis shows that there are four paths leading to a correspondence in priorities: first, it is linked to the combination of high government decision-making capacity and declining citizens’ trust in government; second, it is also linked to the combination of rising citizens’ trust and low government decision-making capacity. Third and fourth, priorities also correspond where there is a simultaneous absence of both trust and elections, and in the absence of both decision-making capacity and elections, respectively.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-317
Author(s):  
Moreno Mancosu ◽  
David N. Hopmann

AbstractInterpersonal influence shapes political behavior and attitudes. So far, however, little efforts have been devoted to testing this mechanism comparatively in Europe. This paper aims at explaining differences in influence patterns in three European countries (Italy, Germany, and the UK). Based on works in demography, we argue that in Mediterranean cultures (characterized by high degrees of familism), people are more prone to be affected by attitudes and behaviors of their relatives with respect to other strong ties (e.g., spouses), while in continental, northern Europe, and the UK, this effect is less important. We test this argument using longitudinal data. Consistent with expectations, results show that the influence of relatives in familistic contexts is stronger than in non-familistic ones. At the same time, the spouse effect (namely, the effect of an intimate, non-relative discussant) is particularly strong in non-familistic contexts (and vice versa). In sum, we demonstrate that public opinion studies can be strengthened by theories developed in other social sciences, such as demography.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Krystian Gurba

Organizations managing technology transfer from universities to the private sector, although born in Poland with a significant delay compared to Western European countries, are currently important actors in the Polish innovation system. The article summarizes the process of shaping the role and models of the functioning of these organizations. It discusses the status and functions of technology transfer centers and the institutional environment of academic technology transfer in Poland: legal framework, support programs, and partner organizations. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of cooperation networks in technology transfer and draws attention to specific initiatives focused on technology transfer in the biotechnology and pharmacy sectors.


1918 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. O. Sauer

The gerrymander is an American name for a political abuse, which, though by no means exclusively American, has been most widely practiced and generally tolerated in this country. It is a device for the partial suppression of public opinion that simulates agreement with democratic institutions. The subterfuge, therefore, has no place in countries in which oligarchic control is legitimized. Nor is it suited to European conditions, because it is difficult there to shift electoral boundaries. European electoral units in large part have a clearly defined historical basis, which in turn rests upon geographic coherence. This solidarity is commonly so great that it cannot be disregarded. American political divisions on the other hand show in major part very imperfect adjustment to economic and historic conditions, largely, because many of the divisions were created in advance of such conditions. They are, in the main, not gradual growths, but deliberate and arbitrary legislative creations, made without adequate knowledge of the conditions that make for unity or disunity of population within an area. Political divisions tend, therefore, to be less significant than in European countries and to be regarded more lightly. It is in particular the smaller unit, such as the county, that has been manipulated for electoral purposes. In spite of their poorly drawn individual boundaries, groups of counties can be organized into larger electoral units in such a manner as to represent a common body of interests predominating. On the other hand they can be so arranged as to mask these interests. The lack of proper coherence in the individual county may be rectified in large measure in the group, or it may be intensified. Gerrymandering accomplishes the latter result.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 184797901773574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Ferraro ◽  
Antonio Iovanella

This article offers a network perspective on the collaborative effects of technology transfer, providing a research methodology based on the network science paradigm. We argue that such an approach is able to map and describe the set of entities acting in the technology transfer environment and their mutual relationships. We outline how the connections’ patterns shape the organization of the networks by showing the role of the members within the system. By means of a case study of a transnational initiative aiming to support the technology transfer within European countries, we analyse the application of the network science approach, giving evidence of its relative implications.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Beverley

Abstract T. processionea, commonly known as the oak processionary moth, is a major pest in many European countries and threatens the health of oak trees. The common and scientific names of T. processionea refer to the behaviour of the larvae to form long processions. The larvae cause severe defoliation, reducing the viability of oak trees. They also pose a risk to both human and animal health because they shed poisonous hairs, which can result in severe allergic reactions, amongst other health problems. The moth is native to central and southern Europe but is now present in almost all European countries and also in parts of the Middle East. EPPO issued a Pest Risk Analysis in 2007 for the UK in response to infestations of the species in Europe from 2006. At this time, infestations of the moth were observed on a range of oak (Quercus) species in London. The adult males are strong fliers and can fly long distances, such as from France to the UK (Evans, 2007). Host plants of this pest include many species of deciduous Quercus, and to a much lesser degree, Betula, Carpinus, Castanea, Corylus, Crataegus, Robinia and Fagus; plants commonly found in forests, woods or ornamental plantations in the UK, for example (Evans, 2007). Therefore, areas where these plants are present and offer a suitable climate for pest development are likely to be under threat from T. processionea. Various pines have been reported as hosts, but such records are suspect and are probably the result of confusion with the pine processionary (Thaumetopoea pityocampa).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  

Abstract C. pseudonaviculata is an asexual species in a genus of common ascomycete plant pathogens. It was identified relatively recently in the UK, as an introduced species causing a devastating shoot blight of boxwood [Buxus spp.] plants that are commonly used in gardens and landscaping. The full extent of its host range is not known, but Buxus spp. from different continents were found to be susceptible (Henricot et al., 2008). It was placed on the EPPO Alert list in 2004, as it appeared to be spreading to the mainland (EPPO, 2009a), and removed from the list in 2008. This pathogen has been reported from additional European countries in recent years, and may have been transported in asymptomatic infected plants or propagating materials. It survives well in plant debris and probably also in soil.


1995 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilbert Nicolaon

Recent analyses in France and the UK of the role of R&D and technology transfer in the national economy have emphasized different problems but the same conclusion. Both governments recognize that the transfer of technology has to be improved to take full advantage of the national R&D effort. The author assesses the extent of collaboration between the two countries and considers activities of ANVAR, the French National Agency for Innovation, and the British Technology Group to enhance interaction and increase the effective commercialization of innovations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin George Wynn

This article examines how technology transfer has operated in university-company projects undertaken in small to medium sized enterprises via the UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme. It adopts a qualitative case study approach, focusing on three companies drawn from an initial review of fourteen technology transfer projects. This provides the foundation for the development of a model of 12 key factors that underpinned successful outcomes in these projects. The fourteen projects are reviewed in terms of their impact on either process change, service improvement or product development, drawing upon the post-project assessments of the funding body and the developed model. Findings suggest that using new technology to innovate internal processes and services is likely to prove more successful than projects focusing on new product development. The model provides an analytical framework that will be of interest and value to academics and business practitioners looking to develop university-industry partnerships involving technology change and innovation.


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