The Seminar on which this book is based, held within the framework of the well-known 'Eurocourses' of the Joint Research Centre of the Commission of the European Communities, emphasized the relation between technological forecasting and industrial innovation: national and corporate strategies aiming at the latter for the sake of productivity and competitivity should build upon the former. The book, like the Seminar, consists of three parts. Part I deals with the innovation processes and models and tackles some forecasting methodologies, as those based upon economic driving forces and technological competition. Part II is a review of prospected innovation in the short term in key generic technologies. Part III emphasizes the role in the innovation process of various innovation practitioners and their need for or practice of technological forecasting. The various papers have been contributed by senior academic and research scientists (Part I) and senior industrialists (Parts II and III). The Editor, an electrical and nuclear engineer, is currently senior adviser at the recently created Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the Joint Research Centre of the CEC.
