A guide to the best technology-transfer practices

In analyzing the best technology-transfer practices of a broad cross-section of goverment agencies, research institutions, and national and industrial laboratories, it was found that different technology-transfer practices should be used at the prospecting, developing, trial, and adoption stages of technology transfer. These results are summarized in a benchmark model that indicates which best practices to use at each stage of the technology-transfer process, and what roles should be played by technology disseminators, developers, sponsors, and implementors during these stages. Rules are suggested for making cost-effectiveness trade-offs among alternative best practices and designing optimal transfer strategies when budgets are limited.     

The politics of local government reform in rural Bangladesh

Several changes have been introduced in the system of local government in rural Bangladesh following the country's independence. Examination reveals that they were changes only in nomenclature, and did not result in significant improvements. The constant effort by the central government to retain control over local bodies, and the tendency of the ruling elite not to disturb the existing local government system, have worked to the detriment of reforms. The existing local government system failed to satisfy the aspirations of the rural Bangladeshis for increased participation in local affairs. After the first change of government in Bangladesh, the new ruling group felt the need for a support base in the rural areas. The formation of a new political party and the necessity of extending it to the grass roots, increased the desire of the people to participate in local affairs, and the realization of the importance of initiating and completing rural development programmes at the lowest level made the government aware of the need for local government institutions based in the villages. The government was impressed by the success of the Swanirvar Bangladesh Andolon, and introduced Swanirvar Gram Sarkar as a major reform in the local government system.     

Impact of COVID-19 on Selected Criminal Activities in Dhaka,Bangladesh

Asian Journal of Criminology - The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the historical criminal trend around the world. This study explores the early impact of COVID-19 lockdown on...     

Letters to the Editor

Editor's Note: The following letter is a response to the correspondence between Michael Caroe, son of Sir Olaf Caroe, and Professor Parshotam Mehra, author of The North-West Frontier Drama, 1945–1947. The previous letter from Michael Caroe appeared in the October 2002 edition of Asian Affairs, Vol. XXXIII, Part III (p. 425). This was a response to a letter from Professor Mehra, which appeared in the June 2002 edition, Vol. XXXIII, Part II (p. 247).     

A new model for sharecropping and peasant holdings

Sharecropping has posed many puzzles to the theoretician. It seems to disappear with the coming of capitalism and yet again evidence exists for its reappearance and cyclical behaviour. This article maintains that many of these puzzles can be solved by juxtaposing Marxist thought on to the neo‐classical tools of analysis. This is achieved by concentrating on a specific type of sharecropping from which the rest of the puzzle can be explained. The way is also paved for a general model of differentiated peasantry according to the initial endowments of land and labour. The link with the ‘Inverse Relationship’ is also explained.