Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fostering and managing innovation in the forest service

  • Published:
The Journal of Technology Transfer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article discusses innovation and recommends ways the USDA-Forest Service can foster and manage the process. It is based on an analysis of field observations, a broad literature survey, and discussions with nearly 200 Forest Service people and some outside innovation-management professionals. The recommendations, although couched mainly in Forest Service terms, are general and can be adapted to virtually any organization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abernathy, W. J., and J. M. Utterback. 1978. Patterns of Industrial Innovation. Innovation or How to Make New Things Happen, undated reprints from Technology Review, Mass. Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. pp. 58–64.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Anbar, M. 1973. The Bridge Scientist and His Role, Research/Development Magazine, July, pp. 30–34.

  3. Ashley, B.S. 1978. The Carbondale Story, SAF Nat. Conv., St. Louis, Mo, 14 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Balog, J. 1980. Second-guessing Mother Nature in the High Snows, Smithsonian 11/9, pp. 56–65.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bartenstein, F. 1981. The Future of Urban Forestry. Breaking New Ground in Urban Forestry-1, Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies, USDA For. Serv., Milford, PA 18 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Browning, E.R. 1979. The SEAM Technology Transfer Process, Technology Transfer Workwhop, Tucson, AR 12 pp.

  7. Callaham, R.Z. 1981.Managing for Applications — Not Just for Research and Development, XVII IUFRO Congress, Kyoto, Japan.

  8. Caplan, F. 1980. The Quality System: A Sourcebook for Managers and Engineers, Chilton Book Company, Radnor, PA, 173 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Consumer Dynamics. 1980. Conclusions on the Effects of Decision-making Behavior on the Use of Information, Report prepared under contract to Science and Education Administration, USDA, Beltsville, MD, 300 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Costello, J. G., and M. L. Neufeld. 1979. User Identification and Definition of Information Products for the U.S. Forest Service Technology Transfer Program. Report prepared by CACLULON under contract to NE Forest Experimental Station, USDA For. Serv., Broomall, PA. 45 pp. and appendices.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Council of Scholars. 1981. Creativity: A Continuing Inventory of Knowledge. Library of Congress, Washington, DC 37 pp.

  12. Creighton, J.W., and J. A. Jolly. 1980. (draft) Technology Transfer, Part III: Improving Informal Communications. Sponsored by USDA For. Serv. (R-9. PSW, and PICS) and U.S. Dept. of State (NCMAB). 12 p.

  13. Creighton, J.W., and J.A. Jolly. 1982 (draft). Technology Transfer, Part IV: The Manager’s Role in Technology Transfer. Sponsored by USDA For. Serv. (R-9, PSW, and PICS) and U.S. Dept. of State (NCMAB). 36 pp.

  14. Driver, B.L., and N.E. Koch. 1981. Conditions Which Nurture the Application of Forest Recreation Research Results. Journal of Technology Transfer 6/1: pp. 33–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Dulude, E.P., and M.M. Loessin. 1981. An Organization Development Approach to Technology Transfer in the National Forest Service. M.S. Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 117 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Forrester, J.W. 1964. Common Foundations Underlying Engineering and Management. IEEE Spectrum: Sept. pp. 66–77.

  17. Franklin, W.H., Jr. 1980. Create an Atmosphere of Positive Expectations. Administrative Management.

  18. General Accounting Office. 1972. The Forest Service Needs to Insure that the Best Possible Use is Made of Its Research Program Findings. Comptroller General of the U.S., Washington, D.C., 28 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Halberstam, David. 1972. The Best and the Brightest. Random House. 688 pp.

  20. Harper, S.C. 1980. Anticipatory Management. Pace: November–December. pp. 35, 36.

  21. Haug, Phillip R. 1976. Technology Transfer in Government Bureaucracies. M.S. Thesis, Mass. Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 82 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hayes, R.H., and M.A. Maidique. 1981. The Technology Gap. N.Y.Times: June 2, Op. Ed. page.

  23. Hiltz, S. R., and M. Turoff. 1978. The Network Nation, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA pp. XXV-XXXI.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hofstadter, D.R. 1982. Metamagical Themas. Scientific American, 247/3: p. 18.

  25. Hollander, S. 1965. The Sources of Increased Efficiency: A Study of du Pont Rayon Plants, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 228 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Human Interaction Research Institute. 1976. Putting Knowledge to Use: A Distillation of the Literature Regarding Knowledge Transfer and Change. Prepared for the National Institute of Mental Health, Washington, D.C., 80 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Jay, D.M. 1973. Transferring Research Into Action in the U.S. Forest Service. M.S. Thesis, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 65 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Jolly, J.A. 1979. Technology Transfer — Capacity Building. Proceedings: Symposium on Research Utilization and User Stimulation. Naval Material Command, Washington, D.C., pp. 73–81.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Jolly, J. A., J. W. Creighton and P. A. George. 1978. Technology Transfer Process Model and Annotated Selected Bibliography. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, 72 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Kanter, R.M. 1981. Make 944 (O. Why?). The N.Y. Times: Nov. 17, Op. Ed. page.

  31. Laner, S., and R. Stolins. 1981. Design of a User-Involvement Technology Transfer Strategy Plus. USDA For. Serv. Res. Pap. PSW (draft), 52 pp.

  32. Levine, C.H. 1978. Organizational Decline and Cutback Management. Public Administration Review, July/August, pp. 316–325.

  33. Lingwood, D. A., and W.C. Morris. 1976. Research Into Use: A Study of the Forest Service Research Branch. CRUSK, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 290 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Lovins, A.B. 1981. Energy. National Geographic Special Report. p. 73.

  35. Marx, H.G. (undated). Guide to Help Develop a Technology Transfer Plan. USDA For. Serv., 26 pp.

  36. Moeller, G. H., and E.L. Shafer. 1981. Important Factors in the Forestry Innovation Process. Journal of For. 79: pp. 30–32.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Moyers, B. 1982. Defining Creativity for Everyone to See Wasn’t Exactly Easy. Smithsonian, 12/10: pp. 64–72.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Muth, R.M., and J.C. Hendee. 1979. Technology Transfer in Forestry as a Human Behavior Process. USDA For. Serv. National Technology Transfer Workshop, Tucson, AR.

  39. Muth, R.M., and J.C. Hendee. 1980. Technology Transfer and Human Behavior. Journal of For. 78: pp. 141–144.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Nelson, D.O. 1982. Charter for Research Work Unit Contacts. Memorandum to regional forester, station directors, and area director in Eastern Region, USDA For. Serv., Milwaukee, WI. 2 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Peters, T.J., and R.H. Waterman, Jr. 1982. In Search of Excellence — Lessons from America’s Best-Run Companies, Harper and Row, New York, NY. 360 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Philpot, C.W. 1982. An Analysis of the Management of Research and Development in the Forest Service. Senior Executive Service Development Program II. 21 pp.

  43. Pugh-Roberts Associates (Cambridge, MA). 1981. Technology Transfer Within the National Forest System-Conclusions and Policy Recommendations. Report prepared under contract to the Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies, USDA For. Serv., Milford, PA. 21 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Ranfil, R.M. 1978. R&D Productivity. Report for Hughes Aircraft Company (1974 and 1978).

  45. Roberts, E. B. 1977. Generating Effective Corporate Innovation. Technology Review, October/November, pp. 26–33.

  46. Roberts, E.B., and A.L. Frohman. 1978. Strategies for Improving Research Utilization. Technology Review, March/April, pp. 33–39.

  47. Robinson, G.O. 1975. The Forest Service. Published for Resources for the Future by the Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD. 337 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Rogers, E.M., and N.C.Jain. 1969. Bridging the Communications Gap Between Science and Practice. Joint Session, Information Systems Division of the International Communications Division of the International Communications Association and the Behavioral Science Interest Group of the Speech Association of America, New York, December.

  49. Roggenbuck, J.W., and A. E. Watson. 1980. Technology Transfer: Lateral Diffusion of Innovation in Forest Service Planning and Management. Report Prepared by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, under cooperative research agreement with Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies, USDA For. Serv., Milford, PA., and Southeastern Forest Experimental Station, USDA For. Serv., Asheville, NC. 108 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Segman, R. 1982. Technology Transfer Performance Elements. USDA For. Serv., Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies. 8 pp.

  51. Shafer, E.L. 1976. Appendix I: Some Thoughts on the Application of New Technology to Resource Managements Needs. Background Information for Chief and Staff Briefing, Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies, Feb. 18, 13 pp.

  52. Siegel, A.L. 1980. Employee Attitude Survey Reveals Some Clear Messages for Managers and Supervisors. Management, Spring.

  53. Stone, D.C. 1981. Innovative Organizations Require Innovative Managers. Public Administration Review, September/October, pp. 507–513.

  54. Sullivan, T.F. 1980. Using Organizational Mechanisms to Encourage Innovation. Proceedings, Symposium on Research Utilization and User Stimulation, Naval Material Command, Washington, D.C. pp. 9–21.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Technology Review. 1978. Foreword. Innovation or How to Make New Things Happen (reprints). Mass. Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  56. Theobold, R. 1982. Why Effective Decision Making Is Currently Impossible. Renewable Natural Resources: A Management Handbook for the 1980s, ed. by D.L. Little, R.E. Dils, and J. Gray. Westview Press, Boulder, CO, pp 13–26.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Thorne Ecological Institute. 1980. Training of People Who Have Technology Transfer Responsibilities. Cosponsored by the following USDA For. Serv. Units: Pinchot Institute for Conservation Studies, Milford, PA; Technology Transfer Council, Washington, D.C.; and Intermountain Region and Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Ogden, UT. 10 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  58. USDA For. Serv. 1982. Interim Directive No. 7, Chapter 1250 - Technology Transfer. 8 pp.

  59. USDA, O&F - Data Services. 1980. FCCC Conference System User’s Guide — Version 2. 37 pp.

  60. von Hippel, E. 1976. The Dominant Role of Users in the Scientific Instrument Innovation Process. Research Policy. North-Hollander Publishing, 5/3, pp 212–239.

    Google Scholar 

  61. von Hippel, E. 1977. The Dominant Role of the User in Semiconductor and Electronic Subassembly Process Innovation. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, EM-24/2: pp. 60–71.

    Google Scholar 

  62. von Hippel, E. 1978. Users as Innovators. Patterns of Industrial Innovation. Innovation or How to Make New Things Happen (undated reprints from Technology Review), Mass. Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, pp. 10–19.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Wilson, C.C. 1977. Technology Transfer. Internal Forest Service memorandum to Director, Cooperative Fire Protection, June 1. 3 pp.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Pinchot Institute, USDA-Forest Service, P.O. Box 188, 18337, Milford, PA

    Ralph Segman (innovation-management and technology transfer advisor)

Authors
  1. Ralph Segman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Segman, R. Fostering and managing innovation in the forest service. J Technol Transfer 7, 21–44 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02620777

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02620777

Keywords

Search

Navigation