One of the most important continueing themes in research in science and technology policy has been the search for improved and practical understanding of the processes of technological innovation. Concern for the promotion of research and for the identification of means of capturing the results of that research and using them in practical form has distinguished science and technology policies of industrialised and developing countries alike.
         The Subject of technological innovation is of interset to all who are concerned with the development and application of science and technology policies. It is of interest to the institutions performing research who hope to see their outputs put to practical use and hope to see them lead to real benefits. It is of interest to governments who, by and large, have become the principal financiers of the activities of research and who make these investments in order to promote their economic and social goals. It is of interest to enterprises who exist in an increasingly competitive world and who are called upon to provide goods and services to do increasingly sophisticated tasks.
         The persent set of case studies emerges from the joint interest of a variety of Indian institutions, of the Government of India and of the International Development Research Center (IDRC, New Delhi) in trying to better understand what has happended within the indian scientific community as various important institutions have tried to respond to the needs of India's economic and in dustrial development. what has emerged is a fascinating set of case studies showing some of the different problems faced by institutions which are different in their origins and which seek to produce products which can play their role in very differnt markets. The richness of this collection of case studies springs from its diversities. there are cases taken from laboratories that are entirely governmental. There are those which spring from the private sector and those of origins which are mixed.
        One of the pervasive themes, how ever, is the importance of government regulations and government policies in creating environments which will either help or hinder the process of domestic technological innovation.
        Research in itself is inherently a risky business. These case studies demonstrate that the risks become even greater when research is undertaken not simply for the pursuit of new knowledge but when it is Supported in order to promote some positive change in the economic or social life of a country. Success is difficult to obtain, being conditioned by so many factors beyond the control of the research. And so in this collection there are studies which some will characterise as "Success stories" while others may be characterised as "failures" Since the particular technological goal may not have been fully achieved.
        It is hoped that the book will prove useful to the scientists, innovators, Policy markets, R&D administrators, industrial houses and research institutions.


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