Contents: The Role of the Scientific Community in the Generation of Technology: Introduction -- Relation of science to research and development - definition of concepts -- R&D systems in selected countries -- Knowledge transfer from non-industrial research institutions to industry -- The role of science within models and theories of the innovation process -- The role of scientific institutions within national systems of innovation -- Conclusions and recommendations -- Challenges to and Management of R&D Activities: Introduction -- Challenges to the management of R&D -- Basic models of R&D management -- Tools for R&D activities -- General conclusions and recommendations -- The Organisation of Interdisciplinarity - Research Structures in the Areas of Medical Lasers and Neural Networks: Interdisciplinarity: a literature review -- Medical Lasers -- Neural networks -- General conclusions and recommendations.

A more detailed understanding of the interaction between science and technology is necessary in order to develop appropriate tools for future R&D management and technology policy. The first part of this book describes the structure of the science/technology interface and analyses the role of science for the generation of new technologies and respective institutional problems. The second part examines the challenges to R&D management and appropriate management tools from the perspective of industrial enterprises. Part III documents the results of two field studies in the science-intensive areas of medical lasers and neural networks. The major aim of the book is to bring together the variety of different approaches from an academic and industrial perspective.