ICT through the prism of critical technologies

Foresight. 2017. Vol. 19. No. 2. P. 121–138.

Ena O., Abdrakhmanova G.

Purpose  

Developing methodically sound approaches to defining and analysing measurements of sectoral science and technology priorities is a key pre-requisite of a successful and effective state science, technology and innovation management system. This article presents the results of research into the evolution of Russia’s science and technology priorities in information and communication technologies (ICT) based on a system founded on detailed profiles for sectoral critical technologies supplemented by quantitative statistics on the development of the information society in Russia.

Design/methodology/approach  

This analysis of Russia’s ICT science and technology priorities was broken down into three periods which tie in with milestones when large-scale changes in ICT were observed: 2002–2006; 2007–2010; 2011–2015.

Findings  

This article presents the results of research into the evolution of Russia’s science and technology priorities in information and communication technologies (ICT) based on a system founded on detailed and carefully studied profiles for sectoral critical technologies supplemented by quantitative statistics on the development of the information society in Russia. An important aspect in support of this approach is regular large-scale processes to update the profiles of sectoral critical technologies (on average once every 5 years) and to conduct statistical observations in ICT (once every year). The involvement in this process of updating critical technologies of large (500 or more) numbers of sectoral experts representing industry leaders, research and educational institutions, core ministries and regulatory bodies guarantees a comprehensive cross-section in researching and profiling critical technologies in different important areas: science, production, and government administration.

 

Keywords: information society, emerging technologies, critical technologies, Delphi method

Publication based on the results of: Развитие исследовательской и аналитической инфраструктуры научно-технологического прогнозирования с привлечением сети отраслевых центров научно-технологического прогнозирования на базе ведущих организаций сектора исследований и разработок (2015)