ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the empirical findings and analysis of 10 case studies carried out in a comparative framework from 1998 to 2000. Each one of these RTD projects was supported by the EC, during its third (1990-4) or fourth (1994-8) Framework programme, bringing together a formal network of project partner organisations throughout Europe. The Appendix (p. 200) explains the underlying quantitative and qualitative methodology and presents a set of measures used in the analysis of findings and comparative evaluation in the subsequent sections of the chapter. Sections 4.2 to 4.11 present the main findings focusing on key ICT areas such as the design of new microchip architectures for computers, mobile phones and other hardware electronic devices; software application areas ranging from manufacturing to banking (i.e. security in e-commerce), utilities (i.e. electricity, gas), aerospace and defence; and projects addressing softer issues, such as the dissemination of research results and consensus building for trading intellectual property rights on the web worldwide.
