Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
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8 Needs and challenges for global communication<br />
any intermediate meetings <strong>of</strong> Commissions and Sub-Commissions are borne by their Member Societies or<br />
the delegates’ employers.<br />
The Institute, in July 2007, finalised its new Business Plan involving all administrative and working units to<br />
ensure ownership by all participants over the 2007-2012 period.<br />
8.2 Technology diffusion strategies to meet challenges to be “world centre”<br />
<strong>of</strong> knowledge, innovation and best practise in welding and joining<br />
The economies <strong>of</strong> many countries <strong>of</strong>ten depend on the performance <strong>of</strong> the small to medium enterprises<br />
(SMEs). For example, the Australian economy now depends on 97% <strong>of</strong> Australian Industry being classified as<br />
SMEs and 60% <strong>of</strong> these have less that 20 employees. Anecdotal evidence suggests that probably 10% seek<br />
to improve themselves through the adoption <strong>of</strong> proven technology and only 1% are probably prepared to<br />
invest time and money in new technology.<br />
The sources for such technologies include the 2-3% <strong>of</strong> research outcomes generated in Australia (through<br />
universities, Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research<br />
Organisation (CSIRO) and industry laboratories), as well as the 97-98% <strong>of</strong> research outcomes generated in<br />
the rest <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
Through IIW Member Societies (<strong>of</strong>ten not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it industry institutes/associations) and their technology/<br />
diffusion/innovation cooperative programmes, thousands <strong>of</strong> SMEs in each country are assisted each year<br />
with the support <strong>of</strong> a wide range <strong>of</strong> industry sectors and governments. This helps create and implement<br />
highly successful innovative outcomes, giving tremendous value and return-on-investment to the country.<br />
These national industry institutes/associations/organisations have painstakingly built up basic infrastructure<br />
<strong>of</strong> nationally sourced expertise and capability and developed international technology linkages. This has<br />
increased their capacity and legitimacy to provide a broad range <strong>of</strong> technology diffusion and collaboration<br />
services, and have established a sound industry support structure both within themselves and with other<br />
players in the innovation system such as other industry associations.<br />
A unique example is the OzWeld Technology Support Centres Network established in 1998 by the Welding<br />
Technology Institute <strong>of</strong> Australia (WTIA), which is still today successfully helping Australian Industry become<br />
locally and globally competitive. These Technology Support Centres (TSCs) both within Australia and overseas,<br />
including the research providers noted above, with the support <strong>of</strong> Federal, State and Territory Governments<br />
and industry, provide significant technology support to the industry as a whole, and innovation at all levels.<br />
8.2.1 IIW Member Societies<br />
The IIW Members are <strong>of</strong>ten the national welding institutes/industry associations which recognise the need<br />
for innovation. These organisations are focusing on the diffusion <strong>of</strong> latest technology into industry. They<br />
have a non-sectoral approach i.e. across all industries and industry sectors utilising a variety <strong>of</strong> enabling<br />
technologies covering manufacturing, fabrication, construction, repair, maintenance and other services such<br />
as inspection and testing and related training.<br />
Their programmes <strong>of</strong>ten give a strategic, national dimension encouraging industry collaboration and<br />
technology diffusion on a large scale as well as identifying new global sectors <strong>of</strong> industry activity where their<br />
industries can develop both “niche”, world-class competitive edges as well as implement the appropriate<br />
technologies to the country’s needs.<br />
They also accelerate the take up <strong>of</strong> new technology, so firms can access the best ideas from around<br />
their country and the rest <strong>of</strong> the world. They also strengthen publicly funded innovation and research<br />
Through Optimum Use and Innovation <strong>of</strong> Welding and Joining Technologies<br />
<strong>Improving</strong> <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />
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