杏吧原创

TECHNOLOGY Foresight, the British government鈥檚 master plan for
commercialising science and technology over the next two decades, is losing its
way, according to the Confederation of British Industry.

Foresight aims to bring together academics and industry to predict the most
lucrative applications of technology, and to ensure that British companies pick
up on innovative research. But having identified promising areas, says the CBI,
Foresight is failing to put together a coherent plan to achieve its long-term
goals.

鈥淲e have concerns about the long-term planning of Foresight,鈥� says Philip
Wright, senior policy adviser to the CBI鈥檚 Technology Group. 鈥淪ome companies
that are involved don鈥檛 know what is meant to happen at the end of this year,
and they need to know.鈥� The next step is the initiation of joint projects
between industry and academia to realise Foresight鈥檚 predictions. Next week, the
government will award 拢30 million to projects proposed by joint teams of
industrialists and academics. The money, allocated over three years, will be
matched by the industrial partners.

But Wright argues that many companies which participated in the initial phase
of Foresight have no idea which of the programme鈥檚 objectives have priority. He
wants to see stronger leadership from Foresight鈥檚 steering group, the panel of
industrialists and scientists coordinating the programme. What is needed, he
says, is a business plan that prioritises objectives at least three years
ahead.

Wright鈥檚 concerns are outlined in the CBI鈥檚 Innovation Trends Survey
, launched earlier this month. Surveys of member companies in manufacturing
showed that 48 per cent are aware of Technology Foresight, but only 28 per cent
are actively involved.