ABSTRACT
For most developed countries, the contribution of advanced technologies to economic performance in terms of manufacturing value added and exports has increased substimtially since the early 1970s. One reason is the incessant and increasing pressure on businesses and national economies to be competitive. This puts a premium on innovation and creativity aimed at developing new products and services and at differentiating existing ones from those of competitors. Perhaps the most important of these advanced technologies are information and communications technology (ICT) and those based upon the applied life sciences. Both have multiple industrial applications and are of interest to companies operating in a wide range of product and service markets. So, in addition to the commercial interests responsible for innovating in these fields, such as software, telecommunications, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, many other business sectors deploy these technologies, including producers and providers of computers and other electronic goods, music, television programmes, films, printed works and financial services to name a few.
