Symposium overview: Accelerating the conversion of science to technology

Conversion of science to technology typically represents a transition across cultures, organizations, time scales, perspectives, personal motivations and philosophies. The purpose of this special issue is to address the specific problem of efficient and effective conversion of science to technology. This special issue will focus on the ideas, concepts and principles (for improving the science to technology conversion) that can be derived from past and present practices, and will complement recent special journal issues on Research Impact Assessment (Evaluation Review, February 1994) and Performance Measures for Government Sponsored Research (Scientometrics, July–August 1996). The theme that permeates this special issue is that efficient science to technology conversion is a contact sport. It is critical that interested parties (from each side of the science-technology barrier) develop early awareness of, and subsequent early involvement in, each other's culture, problems, and potential to maximize opportunities for removing impediments to successful transition. Awareness and involvement can be greatly enhanced through the use of the latest findings and tools resulting from advances in information science and technology. The various papers in this special issue present concepts and successful examples for enhancing mutual awareness and deepening the breadth and period of involvement that eventually result in transition obstacle removal.