Eco-Technology Joint Venture: A German-Czech Case Study

International cooperative models of inter-industry and inter-firm synergy result in a remarkable potential which could contribute to advanced forms of East-West economic integration. The development of eco-industry figures is among the present priorities of international collaboration in manufacturing. After several years of building up mutual knowledge and credibility, German and Czech or Slovak firms have adopted an increasingly cooperative form of behavior. From industrial agreements to joint ventures, various forms of business cooperation are becoming widespread. Not without problems: Cooperative business models are a most demanding part of East-West integration. The following case study aims to support the assertion that despite obstacles, business cooperation brings with it a number of unique advantages. International business alliances and partnerships can simultaneously facilitate the transfer of technologies and of management skills. The importance of well defined goals and personal initiative becomes evident. One case study cannot offer more than a certain insight into an individual approach. However, it could encourage many who are about to enter into East-West cooperative agreement to take action

The Impact of High Technology on Cooperative Business (Reflections in Microeconomics)

Studies in cooperative ventures disclosed a particular frequency of research and manufacturing alliances in the "high" segment of contemporary technologies. It is in this setting where inter-firm efforts flourish, such as joint perfectioning of design and methods, mutual assistance in the development of competitive advantages, horizontal collaborative schemes (e.g., interfirm networking, satellite relationship), unification of technical concepts, standards or certificates, computer integrated interfirm information and logistics, and final producer's and subcontractor's endeavor in continuous business improvement. Cooperative models in high technology manufacturing challenge the theoretical orthodoxy. Many empirical findings do not correspond with established theories. Conventional conclusions appear ambiguous. Attempts have therefore been undertaken to explain the proliferation of cooperative interfirm behavior on a new theoretical basis

Endless Frontier of the Quality Drive

The East of Europe displays a radically different business scene than a year or two ago. Political upheavals ensued by an economic transition (to the market economy) embarked at the endeavor to join the European and global market economy. But whoever would want to enter the world market has to have a passport as a proof of industrial quality. Most of the CMEA countries, now on their way to capitalism and its market mechanism, have already elevated industrial quality as one of the priority issues of their new economic policy. They have to overcome the past indoctrinated rigid quality control structures and procedures, and develop an up-to-date innovative company-based quality management systems. Though the experience is far from complete, some rules seem to be conclusive. This study could facilitate the deliberations of policymakers, business communities and executives

Total Quality Management (TQM) in Hungary II

Since 1987, Hungary has been adopting the concept of total quality management (TQM) to improve its competitive outlook in world markets. The concept originated in studies carried out by Professor S. Shiba at IIASA in 1986-1987. The key prerequisite was the draft of a comprehensive national program of quality promotion as explained in the first issue of this Working Paper. The Hungarian Industry developed a potential for gradual quality improvement. Selected companies apply the TQM systems approach corresponding to the advanced knowledge and experience of quality promotion. The results achieved so far surpass the initial expectations, both in enhancing the competitive advantage of exported goods as well as in encouraging the management commitment to quality issues. The response of the Hungarian industry triggered enlivened interest for TQM in other East European countries. Neighboring Czechoslovakia is adopting the Hungarian experience and inviting Hungarian experts. Other countries begin to take incentives, information and examples

East-West Technology Transfer: Basic Knowledge and Reflections

This report was commissioned by the International Council for New Initiatives in East West Cooperation (the "Vienna Council"). The rapid economic transition in many East West European countries has brought into sharp focus the need to modernize services, methods, management and specialized skills as well as products and processes in the manufacturing sector. In spite of the recent expansion of economic cooperation between eastern and western enterprises the economic and technical importance of these joint ventures are of little strategic importance to real economic reform. They are mostly small low-investment and mostly in the low sophistication services sector. The relevance of the technology to be transferred is of obvious importance in any joint venture or cooperative business arrangement. However, the major reasons for slow progress is rooted in other factors, such as management skills, existence of services and maintenance infrastructure, availability of supplies, availability of transport and logistics, to name a few. It was to provide some background in these non-technological aspects of technological transfer that prompted this Working Paper. It is in that context that this Working Paper should be viewed

Digitalization in Thermodynamics

Digitalization is about data and how they are used. This has always been a key topic in applied thermodynamics. In the present work, the influence of the current wave of digitalization on thermodynamics is analyzed. Thermodynamic modeling and simulation is changing as large amounts of data of different nature and quality become easily available. The power and complexity of thermodynamic models and simulation techniques is rapidly increasing, and new routes become viable to link them to the data. Machine learning opens new perspectives, when it is suitably combined with classical thermodynamic theory. Illustrated by examples, different aspects of digitalization in thermodynamics are discussed: strengths and weaknesses as well as opportunities and threats