IIW White Paper

8 Needs and challenges for global communication

any intermediate meetings of Commissions and Sub-Commissions are borne by their Member Societies or the delegates’ employers. The Institute, in July 2007, finalised its new Business Plan involving all administrative and working units to ensure ownership by all participants over the 2007-2012 period.

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

They also accelerate the take up of new technology, so firms can access the best ideas from around their country and the rest of the world. They also strengthen publicly funded innovation and research

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Through Optimum Use and Innovation of Welding and Joining Technologies

Improving Global Quality of Life