Work in Progress
Keeping up with technology: A pilot study of TAFE and the manufacturing sector
Summary
- Item:
- 10228
- Title:
- Keeping up with technology: A pilot study of TAFE and the manufacturing sector
- Type:
- Managed research project
- Project no:
- NR3012
- Status:
- Finished
- Date commenced:
- 25 August 2003
- Contact:
- Phillip Toner
- phone: +61 2 4341 2107
- email: Pobar_Toner@Bigpond.com
Purpose
This study will essential examine the role of TAFE in diffusion of technology. The specific aims of this study are to:
* identify the formal and informal institutions and processes used by TAFE to identify important technological innovations that may affect its activities and to establish links with those knowledge producers (eg Universities, research institutes, leading edge firms)
* identify methods used to select and establish priorities to acquire these technologies
* examine methods used to acquire and adapt the technologies to particular uses and settings in TAFE.
Approach
Literature review, case studies
Research questions
1. What are the key national and selected international patterns and institutional bases for knowledge diffusion in the VET sector?
2. What are the formal and informal institutions and processes used by TAFE to identify key technological innovations? What are the institutions and methods used to identify the impact on and implications for TAFE of these new technologies? What methods and criteria are used to select amongst competing technologies and how are priorities for acquisition set? How are these innovations sourced and acquired? What are the institutional arrangements and methods used to adapt TAFE operations and skills to these new technologies? How are the new technologies adapted to TAFE operations?
3. Are the institutions and processes used to identify, select, acquire, and adapt innovations adequate? Are the resources devoted to the task adequate?
4. What are the impediments to improving the institutions and processes to identify, select, acquire, and adapt innovations?
5. How can these impediments be efficiently redressed?
6. How well do state based training intermediaries establish networks with knowledge producers in other states and co-ordinate knowledge diffusion with training intermediaries in other states?
7. To what extent should TAFE be a leader rather than a follower in the introduction of innovation?
Methodology
* review of Australian and overseas literature (Japan and Germany) on knowledge diffusion processes
* semi-structured interviews with 24 TAFE representatives from 4 industries (food processing, metallurgy and foundry, computer controlled machining, communications systems) in NSW, SA, & Vic
* semi-structured interviews with industry associations and leading edge firms who have involvement with the TAFE system in these 4 industries
* 4 case studies
Organisations
AEGIS was established as a research centre at the University of Western Sydney in 1998. The centre focuses on elucidating the dynamics of industrial growth and development, mapping product systems so as to reveal and analyse the drivers of innovation in different industries. AEGIS focuses on exploration and analysis of innovative capacity in industry, including both technological bases and organisational arrangements, and the relationships between such capacity and economic growth. The aim is to provide a more effective basis for public policy development so as to assist with Australia's shift to the knowledge-intensive economy the nation needs in the twenty first century. AEGIS has expertise in the analysis of the dynamics of innovation in many industries, including building and construction, heavy engineering, furnishings, textiles, clothing, footwear and leather, medical devices and health industry products and services. The group is also involved in international work on clusters and collaboration in innovation in a national sample of industries.
