This book discusses digitalization trends and their concrete applications in business and societal contexts. It summarizes new findings from research, teaching and management activities comprising digital transformation, e-business, the representation of knowledge, human–computer interaction and business optimization. The trends discussed include artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, blockchain, and many more. Professors and researchers who conduct research and teach at the interface between academia and business present the latest advances in their field. The book adopts the philosophy of applied sciences and combines both rigorous research and practical applications. As such, it addresses the needs of both professors and researchers, who are constantly seeking inspiration, and of managers seeking to tap the potential of the latest trends to take their business to the next level. Readers will find answers to pressing questions that arise in their daily work.

Shows the multifaceted and interactive character of the relationship between science and technology on the one hand, and business and innovation on the other. This book explores this non-linear relationship through a selection of case studies and discusses its implications for science as well as for business.

Many businesses around the world use technology as a means to set-up, run and improve their commercial performance but not all countries have sufficient access to technology. In fact the ’digital divide' between rich and poor countries is one of the major international challenges facing our society. Technology Business Incubation describes a concept whereby technological support and services are offered to start-up companies in the fields of engineering, science and technology to help them further their own research and develop viable businesses. Aimed at developed and developing countries this concept could provide a solution in bridging the knowledge gap. Written by Rustam Lalkaka, a well-known expert in the field, the toolkit provides invaluable information for carrying out feasibility studies; preparing business plans; choosing a location; finding sponsors; selecting managers and tenants; and monitoring a technology business incubator. Annexes contain checklists and report pro formas to help prepare relevant documents based on local needs

This book provides innovative ideas on achieving sustainable development and using green technologies to conserve our ecosystem. Innovation is the successful exploitation of a new idea. Through innovation, we can achieve MORE while using LESS. Innovations in science & technology will not only help mankind as a whole, but also contribute to the economic growth of individual countries. It is essential that the global problem of environmental degradation be addressed immediately, and thus, we need to rethink the concept of sustainable development. Indeed, new environmentally friendly technologies are fundamental to attaining sustainable development. The book shares a wealth of innovative green technological ideas on how to preserve and improve the quality of the environment, and how to establish a more resource-efficient and sustainable society. The book provides an interdisciplinary approach to addressing various technical issues and capitalizing on advances in computing & optimization for scientific & technological development, smart information, communication, bio-monitoring, smart cities, food quality assessment, waste management, environmental aspects, alternative energies, sustainable infrastructure development, etc. In short, it offers valuable information and insights for budding engineers, researchers, upcoming young minds and industry professionals, promoting awareness for recent advances in the various fields mentioned above.

This publication provides the proceedings of an international workshop, held in South Africa, intended to address how international co-operation in science and technology can further the three inter-related aspects (economic, social and environmental) of the development process.

This edited volume explores the interplay between philosophies in a wide-ranging analysis of how technological applications in science inform our systems of thought. Beginning with a historical background, the volume moves on to explore a host of topics, such as the uses of technology in scientific observations and experiments, the salient relationship between technology and mechanistic notions in science and the ways in which today’s vast and increasing computing power helps scientists achieve results that were previously unattainable. Technology allows today’s researchers to gather, in a matter of hours, data that would previously have taken weeks or months to assemble. It also acts as a kind of metaphor bank, providing biologists in particular with analogies (the heart as a ‘pump’, the nervous system as a ‘computer network’) that have become common linguistic currency. This book also examines the fundamental epistemological distinctions between technology and science and assesses their continued relevance. Given the increasing amalgamation of the philosophies of science and technology, this fresh addition to the literature features pioneering work in a promising new field that will appeal both to philosophers and scientific historiographers.

Cross-cutting analytical chapters explore the emergence and positioning of foresight, approaches and methods, organisational issues, policy transfer and evaluation.

The past two decades have seen a gradual but noticeable change in the economic organization of innovative activity. Most firms used to integrate research and development with activities such as production, marketing, and distribution. Today firms are forming joint ventures, research and development alliances, licensing deals, and a variety of other outsourcing arrangements with universities, technology-based start-ups, and other established firms. In many industries, a division of innovative labor is emerging, with a substantial increase in the licensing of existing and prospective technologies. In short, technology and knowledge are becoming definable and tradable commodities. Although researchers have made significant advances in understanding the determinants and consequences of innovation, until recently they have paid little attention to how innovation functions as an economic process. This book examines the nature and workings of markets for intermediate technological inputs. It looks first at how industry structure, the nature of knowledge, and intellectual property rights facilitate the development of technology markets. It then examines the impacts of these markets on firm boundaries, the division of labor within the economy, industry structure, and economic growth. Finally, it examines the implications of this framework for public policy and corporate strategy. Combining theoretical perspectives from economics and management with empirical analysis, the book also draws on historical evidence and case studies to flesh out its research results.