Seminar on Industrial Modernization: Policy,
Practice and Evaluation - Fall 1997
Seminar Paper Assignment
Select a topic related to one of the themes of the seminar on industrial modernization.
Examples of possible topics include:
- New concepts in understanding the processes of technology diffusion and deployment
- Factors influencing technology use in small and mid-sized firms
- Factors influencing technology use in manufacturing in particular regions or industrial
segments
- Role of clustering and agglomeration in the development of industrial capabilities by
firms
- Changing relationships between small and large firms in advanced industrial economies
- Rationale for (or against) policy intervention in industrial modernization
- Strategies to improve the effectiveness of the U.S. Manufacturing Extension Partnership
- Future technology and modernization needs and opportunities for small and mid-sized
manufacturers.
- Who gets to participate in the modernization process?
- Case study of particular manufacturing extension programs or centers
- Links between training and technology use, and strategies for upgrading training in
small and mid-sized manufacturers
- Comparison of approaches to industrial modernization in other countries
Other topics and themes are possible, provided they are related to the themes of the
seminar.
Logistics
1. Please select a specific topic and write a brief (not more than one page) outline
statement of your paper topic. Your outline statement should identify the key issues you
will explore and the methods and sources you propose to use. Please submit your outline
statement by email (mail to: ps25@prism.gatech.edu)
by 4.00 p.m. on October 20th, 1997.
2. Students will be asked to make presentations of draft papers for comment and
discussion in the class seminar session of November 19th, 1997.
3. Your complete final paper should be word-processed, single-spaced and between 2,500
to 3,500 words in length, excluding references and bibliographies. Final papers are due on
Thursday, December 4th, 1997 by 3.00 p.m. Papers should be submitted in hard copy
form (not electronically) to my box in Room 110 in the D.M. Smith building. Please also
submit an accompanying disk (in MS Word format); or email an attachment to ps25@prism.gatech.edu; or provide a link
to the paper on your own web site. Papers may be made available on the course web site in HTML or ACROBAT *PDF format.
Hints
- Focus your paper on a well-defined question or topic related to the themes of the
seminar on industrial modernization.
- Ensure your argument is well-structured and logical.
- Consider contrary perspectives.
- Provide specific examples or cases-in-point, as appropriate.
- Draw on course readings and other materials - properly use an accepted citation method.
- Please discuss any issues with me early on (through email, in-class, office hours, or
appointment).
- Pay attention to your writing style.
Go to completed papers.