Researching SME: dilemmas of studies on innovations and international comparisons

Problems of investigation of innovativeness of small and medium-size enterprises (SME) are discussed in this paper. It is observed that most of these problems stem from deficiency of interpretation of studied objects, innovativeness, entrepreneurship, and unclear objectives of projects that have been carried out. Some suggestions regarding elimination of such problems have been formulated and ideas that may assist in drawing conclusions from the vast amount of information and current knowledge are provided

Underlying issues in perceptions of innovativeness in SMES: Canada-Poland comparisons

Results of a study on the perceptions of benefits of innovations and these pertaining to business success by owners (or their representatives) of SMEs in Canada and in Poland have been described. These results are from a random sample questionnaire-style study. Assessments of advantages of innovations, their imperatives, and reasons for being innovative, are explored. Several generalizations, regarding perceptions, in the above specified areas, have been presented

National technology policies and stability of NTS indexes

The paper examines stability of Indexes of systems, which are used, at a country level, in order to develop technology. It is shown, based on statistical analyses of data from 1993 through 1997, that the set of variables, which form the model of National Technology System (NTS), is stable over the studied period of time. As well, stable are country membership in clusters, which characterize similar technology policies, factors that describe NTS, and finally NTS Indexes. The impact of these findings upon further studies is explored

S&T rankings: do countries change the level of their technological competitiveness?

The paper examines stability of rankings of National Technology Systems (NTS). It is shown, based on statistical analyses of data from 1993 through 1997, that rankings of NTS have remained stable over the investigated period of time. This finding validates the NTS model used in the study. The leading indicators and proxies of these indicators have been identifie

BDNF as a biomarker in the course and treatment of schizophrenia

Summary Many scientists agree that the genes involved in the aetiology and pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases could serve as biomarkers -biological indicators of the health status. Genetic markers may inform about general predispositions of a person to develop certain diseases, while other biochemical factors, such as concentrations of substances in body fluids, reflect the actual condition of the organism. Researchers involved in studies on schizophrenia are interested in the gene and protein of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) due to the role of this neurotrophin in the process of neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and its influence on the functioning of dopaminergic neurons. Among patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, the BDNF gene polymorphisms and methylation in the promoter sequences were studied. The neurotrophin was also assayed in the blood of patients, also taking into account the effect of pharmacotherapy on the BDNF concentration, and post-mortem in the brains of the patients. The results of current studies are contradictory. The only systematically confirmed observation is the lowered concentration of BDNF in the serum of patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. It seems that so far our knowledge about the BDNF gene expression and the functions of the protein is not sufficient to include BDNF analysis in the clinical assessment of patients with schizophrenia

Deinstitutionalization in Italian psychiatry -the course and consequences Part I. The course of deinstitutionalization -the activity of Basaglia's group

Summary Psychiatric reform in Italy consisted of the implementation of legislative changes derived from anti-institutional experiments conducted by Franco Basaglia and his group in the 60's and 70's of the 20th century. The activity of Basaglia's group was an integral part of the European reform movement of that time, which profited from the economic, cultural and political prosperity for changes in psychiatry. Italian anti-psychiatry has led to the most radical experiment in deinstitutionalization in history. It involved the whole public sector of psychiatry and across a quarter-century resulted in a grand social debate on the situation of the mentally ill and the need for systemic change of their treatment and care. Inspired mainly by phenomenological analysis, Basaglia opted for close emphatic contact with the mentally ill. While the British, French and American anti-psychiatrists contested the psychiatric care system as such, the Italian radicals made an approach to disassemble it from the inside and successfully gained social support for the process of deinstitutionalization. Basaglia promoted his ideas across Europe, including the World Health Organization (WHO) forum

Composite Indexes Economic and Social Performance: Do they Provide Valuable Information?

This paper examines the information content of the selected composite indexes, namely the Global Competitiveness Report Index, the Human Development Index, the Knowledge Economy Index, the Innovation Union Scoreboard, and the like. These indexes are examined from the viewpoint of country rankings. It is argued that these indexes provide highly similar information, which brings to question the usefulness of such a variety of approaches. This paper also explores the drawbacks of composite indexes, and questions whether these indexes can adequately serve as policy-setting mechanisms