ABSTRACT
In phase 2 of the process of managing technology transfer, we saw how information on technologies can be gathered (Chapter 9). In phase 3, we want to illustrate how this information can be used in order to assess technologies. Assessing a technology means comparing it with other options and asking if a given technology will do better, cheaper, or more easily than other technologies (see also Braun 1998). We also need to ask what impacts a technology might have for a country and what side effects it might provoke. To provide you with the required concepts and tools for technology assessment we have structured this chapter as follows:
First, we describe the process of technology assessment and the questions that need to be answered (see Section 10.1).
We then introduce you to the different methodologies and decisionmaking tools of technological assessment (see Section 10.2).
Finally, we demonstrate best practices for technology assessment (see Section 10.3).
