FAO Fisheries Circular No. 1004 FIIU/C1004 (En) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER THROUGH NETWORKS: EXPERIENCES FROM THE NORWEGIAN SEAFOOD INDUSTRY by |
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FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS |
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ISSN 0429-9329
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Valvåg, O.R. Technology transfer through networks: experiences from the Norwegian seafood industry. FAO Fisheries Circular. No. 1004. Rome, FAO. 2005. 14p. ABSTRACT The value of research for society in general is contingent on a successful transfer of knowledge and new technology to the public. This paper presents how the Norwegian seafood industry in collaboration with research institutions established networks for professionals who were in the same line of business to improve communication between research societies and industry. It is described how these networks were organized and operated, and how they developed to play an important role as to what priorities should be given for research programmes related to the seafood industry. Moreover, another long-term, but hardly not expected, effect of the network collaboration was that the seafood industry gradually developed a more positive attitude towards research and development in general. Thanks to this change of attitude, the Norwegian Seafood Federation, together with the fishermens and the fish farmers associations, approved the introduction of a research levy, regulated by law and collected on the export value of seafood from Norway. Such a law became effective from 1 January 2001, and the annual sum collected to strengthen the seafood and fishing industrys research effort totals approximately NKr90 million (US$15 million). Finally, the paper has a concluding discussion on to what extent networks based on the Norwegian model can work among small-scale food producers in developing countries. |
© FAO 2005
The Norwegian network of bacalao and saltfish producers (Bacalao Forum)
Other networks based on the "saltfish and bacalao" model
The role of the networks in the planning, organization and implementation of R&D projects
Changes in attitude and other long-term effects of the network collaboration
The Norwegian system of research and innovation funding
The Norwegian Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund (FHF)
Important results of research projects initiated by the networks
Similar networks in other industries/countries?
Can the Norwegian model work among small-scale food producers in developing countries?