Central European countries highlight the importance of institutions as they are of somewhat different nature in this diverse group of countries, given their different history. Briefly, before World War II there was a market economy in place in Central Europe – as opposed to most Eastern...

In the industrialized countries the diffusion of laser technology has been a fairly quick and far-reaching process. Although Hungarian laser R&D has a long history, and has respectable achievements to its credit, the diffusion of laser technology has not been that successful in Hungary. The...

Emerging economies in Central and Eatern Europe can benefit significantly from conducting foresight programmes. Yet, foresight should not be conducted for its own sake – just because it is becoming “fashionable” throughout the world, and currently being promoted by the EU. On the contrary,...

This paper analyses the methods to assess the socio-economic impacts stemming from participation in the EU Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Framework Programmes (FPs) projects. Some of the most significant impacts of Central and Eastern European participation in FPs can only...

The political and economic transition posed a complex, tremendous challenge in Hungary in the beginning of the 1990s. Not only macroeconomic stabilisation was required, but fundamental organisational and institutional changes were also needed to transform the country into a stable, middle-income...

Universities are long-established organisations, and although they have reinvented themselves several times, major reforms are needed again, underpinned by systematic prospective analyses. A novel method is needed to take into account the wide-ranging and complex factors, shaping the future of...

‘Futures’ (images of the future) are often devised at the level of a single university or at a national lev-el for the overall higher education system. However, the bulk of trends and driving forces shaping universities’ future are international in their nature and universities operate in...

Decision-makers, experts and laymen in different historical periods and in different socio-economic systems shared at least one desire: to know their future in advance or even to influence it for their advantage. They have used very different approaches and methods from spiritual/religious ones...

Accession countries, faced with the same challenge of joining the EU while still characterised by their own distinct level of socio-economic development, set of institutions, culture and norms, can benefit significantly from conducting foresight programmes. Yet, foresight should not be conducted...