A structured approach for monitoring science and technology developments

The increasingly global nature of advanced science and technology demands the use of dedicated S&T information monitoring programmes in both public and private sectors. It is necessary to keep abreast of international S&T advances of competitive organizations and to follow world–wide technological change in order to ensure organizational health. Many organizations still do not have a dedicated S&T monitoring programme, however, or assume that efforts of individuals or isolated groups are sufficient. This paper describes a structured approach to assembling and operating an international S&T monitoring programme. A schematic diagram outlining the overall internal and external aspects of the programme is given, and each of these aspects is examined in turn. Recommendations are included for implementing such programmes. Finally, a case study is reviewed, involving the International Research Monitoring Program of the US Department of Energy, correlating aspects of the programme with those outlined in the schematic.

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