Title: Human resources and technology change in Eastern Europe

Authors: Adam Torok

Addresses: Research Institute of Industrial Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest and Janus Pannonius University, Pecs, Hungary

Abstract: A hitherto neglected aspect of the economic transition underway in Eastern and Central Europe is the role of human factors, especially on the microeconomic level. This study examines the validity of a technology base – human factor – productivity and manufacturing performance scheme for the region. Whereas in normally functioning market economies a certain level of coordination exists between these elements, in Hungary and other Eastern European countries a lack of coordination is evident. The paper looks into the regional specifics of such problems as the brain drain, the efficiency of technology imports or the financial background of R&D. The privatization of most R&D intensive firms looks like a good tool to promote the manufacturing-oriented development of the technology base of the countries of the region.

Keywords: East-West trade; economic transition; industrial policy; innovation; macroeconomic adjustment; Hungary; technology transfer; human resources; technological change; Central and Eastern Europe; CEE; human factors; productivity; manufacturing performance; technology development; technology management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1994.025580

International Journal of Technology Management, 1994 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.351 - 366

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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