Abstract
In Hungary, industrial R&D capacity decreased by about 70% between 1989 and 1993. This is closely related to declines of 20% in GDP and almost 30% in industrial production. Substantial structural and ownership changes were experienced. The newly-established private firms are mainly small enterprises. As yet, they are uninterested in, and incapable of, technological development.
The earlier strong and large network of industrial R&D institutes seems to have disappeared. The organizations concerned have been transformed into small- and medium-sized corporations, or have been wound up by the State Assets Management Company. Their original function has been considerably modified. There are now only a few customers (including the government) who visit them to apply for new technologies or products. An awkward structural change is going on in this transitional period. Industrial R&D institutes have already been effectively eliminated, at the start.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.