Management of technological innovation in a transition economy

During the period of transition from socialist (state) economy to an economy based on private property, the scientific research in Romania is passing through a difficult situation. Although it is eleven years since events that lead to the collapse of the totalitarianism, there are no predictions for global scientific research. The governments that have followed in leading Romania have tried to revive the research activity. The research institutes that till 1989 had been financed by the state (governmental institutions) were transformed into commercial societies that have been privatized totally or partially. There were hopes that this way we'd manage to found a research that could compete with West-European countries, but the economical truth was tougher than the political wishes. From a total of 120000 persons in the R&D area in 1990, there are currently almost 20000 persons. A lot of specialists have travelled to other countries, others are accomplishing better paid activities and a small part of them have set up their own R&D societies. At the beginning of 2000 there are 14 projects. We have been especially emphasizing the projects concerning environmental engineering and new nonpolluting production technology promotion. We have accomplished in the same time contacts with the specialists in Central and West European countries for research programs in common interest areas. This way, we'll be drawn into the current and future needs of national economy and also into the international rules of environment protection.