Management and Technology Life Cycle: Two Original Bulgarian Technologies (Case Studies of Electrotermia and of Predima)

Strategic planning and coordination decisions become more and more important when opportunities for extensive economic development are limited by scarce material, energy and labor resources, by frequent and unexpected changes in the market situation, and by the increased technical and technological complexity of production processes. These decisions must fulfill the main goals of the producers, guarantee their survival, and therefore affect the basic tasks of their development: to define competitive and efficient products in the immediate and more distant future, to open sales markets, to secure sub-contracting relations with suppliers, to develop and renew production facilities, etc. this is the basis on which producers form the developmental strategy for periods of 5, 10, 15 or more years. The creation of a developmental strategy in business organizations is preceded by analyzing and evaluating the current situation: technical level of products and technologies, economic production and sales results, marketing relations, prevailing organizational and management conditions, and personnel issues. Based on these analyses and evaluations and taking into account decisions of higher state authorities, companies define their production potential and strategic goals, and then alternative developmental strategies to reach those goals. Apart from the numerous practical problems faced by business organizations in forming a developmental strategy, a fundamental methodological problem is selecting tools to analyze indicators and alternatives, compare technical and economic achievements, rank alternatives, select products, technologies, etc. Therefore, during recent years, much research has been aimed at creating a methodological basis of strategic planning (management) through creating, selecting and empirically testing tools which are suitable for strategic analysis and evaluation, such as: symbolic models, graphical and graphic analytical forms, matrix methods, and others. This theoretical applied study "Management and Technology Life Cycle" presents the results from the first stage of two Bulgarian case studies, one conducted at the Electrotermia Company, one at the Predima Company. The study is being carried out in fulfillment of the research plan of the Institute for Social Management's Problem Center on the Management of Technological Development, in order to meet Bulgaria's national demand for a complex and systematic analysis of the problems of technological strategic management. The study also responds to the need to improve the management system of technological development at Bulgarian business organizations. The study's results fulfill the contractual obligations of the Institute's Problem Center and both the Electrotermia Company and the Predima Company with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg, within the framework of the "Management of Technological Change" project, part of the "Technology, Economy & Society" program. The following groups of technologies were considered in choosing the study objects: Group A -- New technologies, based on Bulgarian inventions; Group B -- New technologies for traditional industries (mainly license technologies). This paper presents the results from the first stage of the case studies on the technology for laying protective coatings on electrodes for use with electric arc furnaces in steel production and on the technology for producing worsted fancy years known as "Predima." The two technologies investigated find themselves at different phases of the life cycle. Electrotermia is in the maturity phase, the second in the growth phase. This difference between the two technologies provides an opportunity to compare their development as well as their management systems

Executive Guide for East-West Joint Ventures

This Executive Guide is designed to provide useful answers to business executive's basic and most essential questions on East-West joint ventures. The Guide is a result of work by the international network of the Management of Technological Change (MTC) Project at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The answers elucidate legislative practices based on the most recent documentation, as well as administrative practices should they differ. Provisions for each country were examined and approved by the respective chamber of commerce or competent national agency

Technology Development and Product Life Cycle: The Case of Counter-pressure Casting in Bulgaria

This paper presents the second part of the case study developed at the Metals Technology Company, in Bulgaria, which created and is applying the new original Bulgarian technology of casting by counter-pressure. After an investigation of the technology life cycle in the first part, the second part of the study concentrates on the inter-relation between technology and product life cycles. Selected product areas were investigated, and the product life cycle was applied in analyzing the product structure of aluminum casting and different product technologies. Reasons for some instances of reduced competitiveness of these technologies leading to lost market positions in certain product areas were also investigated. The case study demonstrates the applicability of technology and product life cycles as management tools useful in connection with new original technologies, developed in small countries. As a tool, the life cycles can be used to find market niches and strengthen company strategy. This paper, therefore, is a continuation of the IIASA working paper WP-87-088, "Management and Technology Life Cycle: Bulgarian Case Study on the Technology of Counter-pressure Casting" by J. Djarova, C. Nachev, I. Nenov, and T. Tonchev. The two together describe the entire case study

A New Step Forward for Joint Ventures

This working paper is one of a series produced by TES-MTC project discussing the problems of East-West Joint Ventures located in the CMEA countries on a country basis. The dynamics in the process of creation of joint ventures, as well as the rapid changes in legal conditions create the need, according to the empirical studies undertaken, to compare and to follow the changes in legislation and statistics. The end of 1988 and the beginning of 1989 was marked by new requirements and opportunities for jvs in the legislation of almost all CMEA countries. The latest working paper of the series highlights recent changes and gives some general views on the legal situation in various countries

Management and Technology Life Cycle: Bulgarian Case Study on the Technology of Counter-pressure Casting

At IIASA, several researchers have studied and described the cumulative nature of development of technologies and their substitution, using global and macro-economic data. Those processes have their "fine micro-structure" which is interesting and valuable for one country as a whole or for individual companies. Studying this micro-structure can permit us to connect global theory with processes taking place on the micro-level and, based on that, to make recommendations to decision-makers to permit them to select instruments for analyzing and synthesizing their strategy. Small countries often have limited resources (either natural or financial or even both). However, they always have limited human resources which should be used effectively and purposefully. Today, technological developments even outside the sphere of so-called high-tech are very intensive scientifically and intellectually. This once more increases the necessity for small countries to concentrate their scientific human potential in areas in which they can make break-throughs with high economic efficiency. From this point, positioning technological innovations correctly in the international market and forecasting their competitiveness are very important. A picture of the possible future development of a technological innovation gives the small countries and their companies the opportunity to spot market niches and to develop effective strategies for their fulfillment. The application of life cycle theory and use of substitution curves as possible management instruments for strategy development on company level is one of the main goals of the research currently being carried out in Bulgaria under the contract with IIASA's "Management of the Technological Life Cycle" (MTL) activity, part of the "Technology-Economy-Society" (TES) program. The research in Bulgaria is being conducted by the Problem Center "Management of Technological Development" through the Institute for Social Management and has broader goals in the area. These goals are directed towards enhancing instruments for strategic management on company level and methods for accelerating technological development. The Bulgarian study is directed to three main groups of technologies (irrespective of branch of industry): a) original Bulgarian technologies with possibilities on international market; b) new technologies transferred from other countries; and c) traditional mature technologies. Structuring the research in this way not only avoids certain drawbacks inherent in research based on particular characteristics of industrial branches (namely the questionable validity of results and lack of transferability of those results to other branches of industry). It also permits researchers to study the dynamics of these technologies and the dynamics of organizational and management characteristics of the companies independent of branch specification, according to the type of technology described and the degree of its development. In the paper presented, some results of the first stage of the study are discussed. The objects of this first stage are several original Bulgarian technologies. The case study presented here concerns the technology of counter-pressure casting. This original Bulgarian technology is part of a group of technologies based on the method of casting with counter-pressure developed by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. The company under study is an interesting integration of a basic research institute, with applied research and production functions. Preliminary results based only on aluminum casting technology are presented in this paper. This method is also being applied to plastic and steel casting technologies which will be addressed in the second stage of the study. Variables and indicators through which technology is studied are developed within the MTL activity, but for the purposes of national study have been adapted, increased in number, and developed according to the specific requirements of a centrally planned economy by the Bulgarian national team

Joint Ventures: A New Reality of East-West Cooperation (State-of-the- Art)

A new approach to foreign equity participation and the desire to accelerate the transfer of modern technology and management methods has resulted, in many CMEA countries, in a great deal of new legislation to regulate the process of establishing and operating joint ventures with Western companies. Together with the economic reforms taking place in these countries, which have resulted in more freedom to enterprises and their managers and in more decentralized decision-making, this attitude is facilitating the process of creating joint ventures. As joint ventures constitute a new organizational setting between two economic systems, they have become a very 'hot' topic in many different forums, including the mass media. In spite of the growing interest in east-west joint ventures and due to their short history, there are very few completed studies on the subject. Several international organizations, such as UNIDO and ECE, have compiled studies of legislation for joint ventures and organized meetings between managers from both economic systems to discuss the issue. Bilateral studies between various countries and consultancy reports are also available. Nevertheless, there is a vacuum of empirical studies and analyses of the problems faced by partners, especially during the periods of negotiation and operation. The MTC activity, therefore, has directed its efforts towards a feasibility study on joint ventures, in order to define IIASA's, and specifically MTC's, niche in the field. This working paper documents the state-of-the-art of the issue of east-west joint venturer. The information has been updated through June 1988. It gives a broad picture of the current situation as well as a review of available literature on the subject. The content of the problem is very large in scope and, for the purposes of our feasibility study, has been somewhat condensed to make the information here presented of use, not only to researchers, but to managers as well

Workshop on the role of Science and Technology Parks and Incubators in Innovation Ecosystems: Promoting Technology Transfer and Innovation. Focus on the Danube and Adriatic-Ionian Macro Regions and the Western Balkan countries

The workshop was co-organised by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Region of Central Macedonia, Hellenic Republic, in association with the International Association of Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), The Thessaloniki Technology Park, i4G Incubator and AREA Science Park. The objectives of the workshop were to create space for exchange of know-how among practitioners from the region on successful practices in the development and management of science parks and incubators and to explore and understand the role that these can play in creating value and developing innovation ecosystems. The workshop was aimed at exploring the different models for Science and Technology Parks (STPs) and incubator development and financing as well as management. During the event the roles of various stakeholders, both private and public (industry, academia, government and investment community, etc.) in generating a virtuous circle that can accelerate local economic development and increase regional competitiveness were considered. Additionally, the event focused on stimulating discussion on identifying best practices that can help tackle issues and bottlenecks that are specific to the Danube and Adriatic-Ionian macro-regions, and the Western Balkan countries. The overall conclusions of the workshop are expected to assist in streamlining the technology commercialisation and technology transfer systems in all countries concerned including member states, candidate and neighbourhood countries.JRC.I.4-Intellectual Property and Technology Transfe

Lactogenic Activity of Rats Stimulated by Gunnera Perpensa L. (Gunneraceae) from South Africa

Gunnera perpensa L. (Gunneraceae) is a medicinal plant used by Zulu traditional healers to stimulate milk production. The effect of an aqueous extract of the rhizome of the plant on milk production in rats was investigated. Female lactating rats that received oral doses of the extract of G.perpensa significantly (p<0.05) produced more milk than controls. The plant extract did not however, significantly influence the levels of prolactin, growth hormone, progesterone, cortisol, ALT, AST and albumin in the blood. The mammary glands of rats treated with the extract showed lobuloalveolar development. The extract (0.8 μg/ml) was also found to stimulate the contraction of the uterus and inhibit (23%) acetylcholinesterase activity. The cytotoxicity of the extract (LC50) to two human cell lines (HEK293 and HepG2) was 279.43 μg/ml and 222.33μg/ml, respectively. It is inferred that the plant extract exerts its activity on milk production and secretion by stimulating lobuloalveolar cell development and the contraction of myoepithelial cells in the alveoli. It is concluded that Gunnera perpensa contains constituents with lactogenic activity that apparently contribute to its effectiveness in folk medicine

Physical, anthropometric and physiological profiles of experienced junior male and female South African Taekwondo athletes

The research was aimed at identifying the anthropometric, physical and physiological characteristics of junior Taekwondo athletes to achieve an international status. Data were collected from 25 males and 11 females aged 15.5 ±2.6 years. Measurements consisted of body composition (body fat percentage (%BF), sum of 6 skinfolds), flexibility (sit & reach, hip flexor (HF) and quadriceps flexibility (QF), lower extremity explosive power (vertical jump (Diff VJ) and vertical jump relative power (R Power), muscle endurance (sit-ups and push-ups), muscular strength (handgrip right and left), hexagonal agility (HEX) and agility T-test, aerobic power (20 m bleep test (20MST) converted to maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max.). Data were analyzed using t-test for independent samples and Z-score statistics. Significant higher %BF and sum of skinfolds were recorded in junior female players. No differences in body mass, stature and BMI were found. Male athletes had higher (p<0.001) VO2max (42.2±6.8 ml/kg/min) compared to females (31.7±6.5 ml/kg/min). Female athletes showed lower (p<0.001) results in push-ups (9.0±6.5 reps) compared to males (25.6±10.5 reps). Maximal grip strength (kg) of both hands was higher (p<0.05) in males. No differences in sit-ups, explosive leg power and agility were found between males and females. The analysis of individual Z-score for assessment of fitness variables has practical implications contributing to the trainability and performance of junior taekwondo athletes.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2017-12-31am201

MOTOR ABILITY PROFILE OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR MALE SOUTH AFRICAN TAEKWONDO ATHLETES

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare motor abilities in young and adult male South African Taekwondo athletes. To date, knowledge of the motor ability demands of this combat sport is in its infancy. Methodology: Participants were profiled as junior (n = 25, 15.5 ± 2.6 years, 163.0 ± 13.4 cm, 53.3 ± 10.7kg) and senior (n = 20, 23.5±2.5 years, 166.8 ± 7.9cm, 68.6±7.9kg) males from a local Taekwondo (WTF) club in South Africa. Flexibility (sit-and reach), abdominal strength and endurance (60-second sit-ups and 2 minutes push-ups), explosive leg power (vertical jump), agility (T-test), aerobic power (20 m bleep test) converted to maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured. Data were analyzed with t-test for independent samples and Z-score individual radar plot statistics for each athlete. Results: There was no significant difference in agility between juniors (10.9 ±0.4s) and seniors (12.6 ± 1.2s) (p>0.05). The seniors showed significant (p<0.05) higher values in sit ups (53.1 ± 6.1 vs 48.9 ±13.8), push-ups (76.6 ± 17.1 vs 25.6 ±10.6), sit & reach (54.6 ±5.8 vs 40.1± 7.5 repetitions), horizontal jump (2.6 ± 1.1 vs 1.9 ±0.3), and VO2max (52.5 ± 2.8 vs 42.2 ±6.6) than in juniors. More extensive research is required before extending existing knowledge from this study in order to permit specialized conditioning with junior athletes leading to improved motor ability at an early stage of Taekwondo training, resulting into better combat performances. Conclusions: The results showed that the performance of senior male Taekwondo athletes is higher than the juniors’