ZEF Bonn

While globalisation is known and experienced, in many cases, it is not transposed
into concerted action. Networks are often controlled by “gate-keepers" who reduce
the flow of information and knowledge. And local experts tend to fall in line with
global trends instead of utilising their local knowledge. In the reporting period field
studies on the role and impact of development experts were carried out in Germany,
Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Nepal and the Philippines. The field data confirm
earlier results that basic development strategies and concepts originate from university
departments and research institutes but are “authorised" by major development
organisations led by the World Bank.
Related to this project, which is being funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
and run jointly with the Institute for Global Society Studies at the University
of Bielefeld, an evaluation study on “Securing Professional Competence in German
Development Cooperation" was carried out for the German Federal Ministry of
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and completed in 2001. Interviews
with government officials and development experts were conducted in several
European, African, Asian and Latin American countries, and the practices of other
national and international development organisations were analysed.
1.3.2 Knowledge management
Another research project, which is funded by a grant from the Management
University of Singapore (SMU), is concerned with knowledge management in large
organisations and firms. Results of a survey of consulting firms in Singapore have
been published as a working paper. Research along these lines is further pursued in
a study comparing knowledge management practices in Singaporean and German
firms. Preparations for an intensive course on Knowledge Management under the
auspices of the Commonwealth Secretariat have been completed.
1.3.3 Knowledge society
This project, which was conducted in co-operation with the National University of
Malaysia's Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), focuses on a
comparative macro-analysis of Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea on the path towards a
knowledge society. The study shows that Malaysia has pursued a very active policy
of developing an infrastructure for high-tech industries. Whereas this country was
rapidly catching up with Korea in the 1980s, investment in Research and Development
and the training of related personnel has declined in the wake of the 1997
monetary crisis. Work on Indonesia and other ASEAN countries is being continued.
Research
A ZEF project focusing on a
comparative macro-analysis on
Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea
on the path towards a knowledge
society shows that
Malaysia has pursued a very
active policy of developing an
infrastructure for high-tech
industries.
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