Ergebnisse von TA - Projekten - Neue TA-Projekte

A research project for the Belgian Federal Ministry of Scientific Research 1997-2000

by Patricia Vendramin

1. Structure of the research project

The workplan entails five phases corresponding to five objectives.

A. Analysis of the relationships between technology and sustainable development.
B. Characterization of sustainable technologies and innovation processes.
C. Socio-economic impacts of sustainable technologies: competitiveness and employment.
D. Relationships between technological innovation and other instruments fostering sustainable development.
E. Appraisal of conclusions in the Belgian context.

The research was started in May 1997.

The research project begins with a general, analytical study of the links between technology and sustainable development, the aim being to show that technology can be both, a cause of non-sustainable development and a factor fostering sustainable development. This first phase will lead to the identification of technological options.

The second phase will aim to better characterize the technological options that foster sustainable development. This characterization will be based on a series of criteria relating not only to environmental aspects but also to other dimensions of sustainable development such as the quest for solidarity and equity (between the North and the South, and between present and future generations) and the transformation of modes of production and consumption. This phase will also include a description of the supply of and demand for these technologies, covering both international and Belgian markets.

The third phase will entail the investigation of the real and potential impact of innovations in the field of sustainable technology. Two essential socio-economic aspects - competitiveness and employment - will be analyzed, taking account of the effects and benefits for the environment. The question of competitiveness has two facets: the competitiveness of the industries using the innovations, and the competitiveness of the sector producing (and often exporting) them. The question of employment will also have to be considered from these two angles, without forgetting a further element which is the indirect effects of the "ecological modernization" of industry.

The fourth phase will be concerned with the relationships between technological innovation and other instruments fostering sustainable development (scientific research, tax systems, regulations, public procurement, North-South cooperation, etc.). These different instruments are interdependent. The aim is to identify the combinations most likely to achieve the objectives of sustainable development and "qualitative growth".

The fifth and final phase will consider the conclusions of the preceding phases in the context of the Belgian situation and the country's role in the international arena. It will characterize the potential for the conception, dissemination and use of the technologies to foster sustainable development. It will highlight the restraints, the incentives, the opportunities and the challenges, paying special attention to the role of the different parties involved. It will consider how a "social base" more favourable to sustainable development might be created in the industrial sector. It will suggest avenues to be explored and scenarios for sustainable modes of production, and will examine the conditions which would make such models socially acceptable.

2. Scope of the study

The study will attempt to consider all forms of technological innovation which are potentially beneficial in terms of sustainable development, whether they concern processes, products or modes of organization. It will also consider the whole "chain" of innovation and devote special attention to the multiplicity of innovation patterns. It will cover all sectors of industry including energy.

With regard to Belgian institutional considerations, the research project explicitly aims to develop a basic framework for the analysis of technological innovation and its socio-economic impact which is founded on international developments, and therefore transcends any division of competencies between the Regions and the Federal State. However this does not mean that the institutional issue will be neglected, for it is an important element of the research project for the dissemination of the results of the research, where attention will focus specifically on means of communication and cooperation between the different institutional levels.

With regard to methodology, the research project puts an emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach. Each phase combines competencies and methods belonging to social sciences, economics and technology analysis.

3. Detailed presentation of the tasks involved in the research

Phase A: Analysis of the links between technology and sustainable development.

• State of the art of research into the relationships between technological innovation and sustainable development.
• The ambivalence of technology and the question of technological options.

Phase B: Characterization and typology of sustainable technologies

• Characterization and typology of sustainable technologies.
• Criteria for the evaluation of "sustainable" technological options.
• Present situation as regards supply of and demand for sustainable technologies.

Phase C: Socio-economic aspects regarding competitiveness and employment

• Examination of the link between sustainable technology and competitiveness.
• Examination of the link between sustainable technology and employment.
• Technology, competition and employment and their relationship to "qualitative growth".

Phase D: Relationships between technological innovation and other instruments fostering sustainable development

• Relationship between technological innovation and environmental regulations.
• Relationship between technological innovation and economic instruments.
• Relationship between technological innovation and institutional instruments.
• Relationship between technological innovation and research policy.

Phase E: Placing the results in the context of the Belgian situation

• Characterization of the potential for innovation in Belgium given the environmental pressure and the causes of non-sustainable development.
• Analysis of strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and obstacles.
• Conditions for broadening the "social basis" for sustainable technological innovation.
• Scenarios and recommendations.

4. Dissemination and valorization activities

Once the research has been completed we propose that a number of activities should be carried out with the aim of providing actors involved in technological innovation processes affecting modes of production with information and scientific expertise, thus building a bridge between our research institute and the potential users of our research results:

• Communication: dissemination of a summary document and the organization of a public event (conference).
• Provision of "tailor-made" expertise: the idea of providing tailor-made expertise entails the organization of seminars cum workshops with the three main partners involved in the transformation of the technological basis of modes of production: the public authorities, industrialists and trade unions. We suggest the organization of specific thematic seminars or workshops for each of the three groups, so that the issue can be investigated in accordance with the priorities of each party.
• Organization of interregional thematic workshops: we propose the organization, in partnership with the OSTC, of thematic workshops for the people and institutions responsible for clean technologies in each of the regions (heads of administrations or regional bodies, members of certain ministerial cabinets, etc.). The idea of this action is to foster communication and cooperation between the regions.

Contact persons

Gérard Valenduc, research director
Patricia Vendramin, head of project
Anne-Catherine Rousseau, researcher
Fondation Travail-Université
"Work & Technology" Research Unit
5, rue de l'Arsenal
B-5000 Namur - Belgique
Tel.: + 32-81-725122
Fax: + 32-81-726128
E-mail: 101610 3225Rsf3∂compuserve com (P. Vendramin)
E-mail: 101233 1465Zwp3∂compuserve com (G. Valenduc)