Richard E. Quandt Knihy

This book shows how philanthropy can be a primary force in the transfer of technology in transitional societies. It demonstrates the necessity of retraining of people and how this endeavor is as important as the technology itself. It is essentially about Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia, with somewhat smaller emphases on Russia, Romania and South Africa. It chronicles, explains, and analyzes western assistance efforts in Eastern Europe between 1989 and 2000 in the context of the political and economic events of the period, with particular emphasis on the activities of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Factors that made transfers more or less successful and the role of social institutions and human factors will be highlighted. Significant illustrations include the creation of a small enterprise sectors, MBA programs, economic programs, and new markets and financial institutions. The material provides the reader with a clear understanding of howinstitutions for economic education emerged in Central and Eastern Europe, what role of US foundations and academic institutions played, and what the interplay with local personalities involved.

Electronic publishing has been gaining ground in recent years and is now a recognized part of the digital world. In the most comprehensive assessment of electronic publishing to date, thirty-one scholars, librarians, and publishers focus specifically on scholarly publishing. They analyze a number of case studies and offer original insights on a range of topics, including the financial costs involved, market forces, appropriate technological standards, licensing issues, intellectual property, copyright and associated user rights, and the changing roles of researchers, publishers, and librarians.The editors begin with an overview of scholarly communication and develop a novel interpretation of the important role that technology now plays. Many of the following chapters are based on actual electronic publishing projects in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, so the evidence and data are drawn from real-life experiences. Of special value are the attempts to measure costs and patterns of usage of electronic publishing and digital libraries.Electronic publishing has moved well past the experimental stage, and with numerous projects under way this seems an appropriate time to assess its impact on the academic world, from teaching to research to administration.