Title: The role of small, high-technology firms and science parks in the ClM industry

Authors: Jacques Perrin

Addresses: IREP, Universite des Sciences Sociales de Grenoble, France

Abstract: Since the beginning of the 1980s the world-wide computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) industry has been establishing itself, principally as part of the activities of bigger industrial corporations. This new CIM industry manufactures standardized sub-systems. Small, high-technology firms also have an important role – to install and fit this equipment such that it meets particular user needs. In order for small firms to cope with the detailed fitting and installation of custom-built equipment, they have to develop links with universities and to employ a skilled workforce. Science parks are one way of generating university-industry relationships and acquiring a skilled workforce. But, the author argues, the promotion of small, high-technology firms and science parks is not in itself sufficient to create a national or regional CIM equipment industry.

Keywords: high technology; high-tech firms; small firms; computer-integrated manufacturing; CIM; university-industry relationships; science parks; skilled workforce.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1989.026044

International Journal of Technology Management, 1989 Vol.4 No.3, pp.349 - 359

Published online: 26 May 2009 *

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