International Interdisciplinary Conference (1st) on the Influence of Culture (Japanese/American) on Technological Innovation

Japanese and American scientists, engineers, managers and anthropologists met together to discuss technological innovation in high temperature oxide superconductors, low pressure diamond synthesis and silicon nitride structural ceramics. Discussions focussed on how differences in Japanese and American cultures affect innovation in pre-commercial, nascent and infant commercial advanced materials. Innovation is a complex socio-technical process and no simple generalizations are appropriate. Different national perspectives of the science-technology nexus, different customs with regard to research planning, different supplier-manufacturer-customer relationships, different views of the learning process, different forms of technological networking, and other cultures differences all impact of the innovation process.