Invention and Innovation in the Australian Non-Ferrous Mining Industry: Whose Technology?

Menghetti, Diane

doi:10.1111/j.1467-8446.2005.00135.x

Cited by 35 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 1 publication

(2 reference statements)

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“…Technology assimilation (TA) presents various benefits to an organisation, such as operational competitiveness and market share changes (Wolfe, 1994;Bozeman, 2000;Jie et al, 2015), as well as benefits to society, in the form of regional or national economic development and other socio-economic impacts (Rogers, 1962;Hlavacek & Thompson, 1973;Menghetti, 2002;Jie et al, 2015). However, when done poorly, TA can lead to un-recouped capital investment and unrealised operational competitiveness (Rogers, 1962;Hlavacek & Thompson, 1973;Menghetti, 2002;Jie et al, 2015). The process of TA can be slow, disruptive, and costly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TA is a reality in engineering practice in South Africa. Many old and new technologies have been unsuccessfully adopted in many engineering fields (Menghetti, 2002;Sahin, 2006), including in the SA mining industry. Moreover, some technologies are initially adopted by an organization, but then disrupted or discontinued before organization-wide, comprehensive, effective assimilation is realised (Jie et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technology Assimilation Proficiency-Reflecting Graduate Attributes: A review of the literature on mining engineering practice and higher education in South Africa

Chauke

2022

9th Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES 2021) and 32nd Australasian Association for Engineering Education Confere

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Technology assimilation (TA) is both a technical matter and a social process. The importance of TA emanates from the fact that it is a necessary condition to the industrialization, economic development, and social upliftment of nations or communities. People, either in their roles and activities as engineers, technicians, innovators, marketers, or as other participants, are intimately involved with and in the process of TA. The study investigates people attributes that reflect, or are associated with, TA proficiency. Furthermore, the study seeks to understand the core aspects within which such attributes manifest in mining engineering practice and higher education in South Africa. PURPOSEThe study focuses on understanding how TA is understood in engineering practice and higher education in the South Africa. It also seeks to identify TA proficiency-reflecting graduate attributes that are required and valued, and the contexts within which these manifest, in mining engineering practice and higher education in South Africa. APPROACHThe current study is the first stage of an envisaged two-stage investigation. All data and evidence in the current paper was sourced from reviewed literature. Due to the limited, if any, published materials on the topic, specifically as it pertains to South African contexts, a thematic approach was used rather than a systematic literature review.The SA mining sector employs large numbers of graduates from the mining, electrical, mechanical, and mechatronic engineering disciplines. Attempts were therefore made to understand the documented TA-related contexts, roles, experiences, and activities of these four disciplines in the mining industry and higher education in South Africa. Furthermore, attempts were made to identify TA proficiency-reflecting attributes required and valued in such contexts.TA is generally misunderstood in both engineering practice and higher education. An overall understanding of TA was established through critical analyses of the multiple perspectives on TA, and then synthesizing the reviewed literature into major themes. ACTUAL OUTCOMESA taxonomy of the factors that influence TA was developed. The taxonomy comprises two categories of 'Technology content-specific factors' and 'TA process-related factors. Furthermore, a preliminary list of TA proficiency-reflecting attributes was also compiled.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology Assimilation Proficiency-Reflecting Graduate Attributes: A review of the literature on mining engineering practice and higher education in South Africa

Chauke

2022

9th Research in Engineering Education Symposium (REES 2021) and 32nd Australasian Association for Engineering Education Confere

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“…Alternatively, unpacking this national narrative might cause Australians to ask whether the competing narrative of knowledge generation and innovation, being largely imported, even works for them, or whether it should also embrace a more local flavour that resonates more closely with the prevailing cultural ethos. This could be particularly apposite given that Australians have adapted largely imported technology to provide highly innovative bespoke solutions in agriculture, mining and construction (Morris, 1983;Menghetti, 2005;Pickard, 2010). Such innovation, crafted for specific contexts, might have limited applicability in global markets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Australian attitudes towards innovation, work and technology: Towards a cultural explanation

et al. 2021

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Australia, despite its G20 status, has not been performing as well in innovation in high-technology sectors as its educational levels and sustained growth would suggest. Australia has found it difficult to emerge from an economy based on resources and agriculture to a services economy based on knowledge and the application of technology. Several reasons have been put forward over the years. This study considers one reason that has not been considered in any detail – culture and national identity. In this paper, we look closely at a number of artefacts of popular culture from the late 1800s to the present day (such as art, poetry, song and film). These continue to underpin Australia's national identity, despite the multicultural and multiethnic nature of modern Australia. This study argues that the current Australian attitude to work, technology and innovation is strongly rooted in the egalitarian and anti-authoritarian ethos associated with what has been termed the 'Australian legend' or the 'pioneer legend'. A national discourse with emphasis on hyper-masculine hard work as opposed to education and innovation has favoured policies to assist the resource and agricultural sectors of the economy, rather than sectors capable of creating greater value.

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“…This study was primarily historical and therefore results from the survey of material remains were not presented; rather, the evidence from archaeological remnants was used to supplement assessments about the technology utilised. More recently, Menghetti (2005) has examined technological innovations and inventions in Australian and Queensland mining at a broad scale, using historical data. She argued that the particular conditions found in mines all over Australia enhanced the process of innovation.…”

Section: Social Approaches To the Archaeology Of Mining Settlementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digging deeper: The archaeology of gold mining in Queensland

Mate

2014

QAR

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From the 1860s mining has been a key feature of the economic landscape of Queensland. In excess of 40 investigations into historical goldfields in Queensland have been undertaken since the late 1970s, falling predominantly into two fields -historical examinations and cultural heritage surveys. This review of archaeological work on historical gold mining in Queensland examines the geographic areas investigated, the approaches used and analyses undertaken. The results presented indicate there are limitations in our current understandings and interpretations of the archaeology of historical goldfields. Studies have primarily focussed on identification of industrial heritage, rather than encompassing both industrial and domestic domains. Work predominantly comprises brief cultural heritage surveys or historical studies with supplementary reference to material remnants rather than full-scale comprehensive and systematic survey or excavation. Despite the range of investigations, there are few syntheses capitalising on the body of work undertaken and little in-depth research of people, place and behaviour is being carried out. This overview is used to suggest possible frameworks for more detailed analysis, allowing a fuller understanding of social, cultural and industrial facets of these settlements.

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Invention and Innovation in the Australian Non-Ferrous Mining Industry: Whose Technology?

Cited by 35 publications

References 1 publication

Technology Assimilation Proficiency-Reflecting Graduate Attributes: A review of the literature on mining engineering practice and higher education in South Africa

Technology Assimilation Proficiency-Reflecting Graduate Attributes: A review of the literature on mining engineering practice and higher education in South Africa

Australian attitudes towards innovation, work and technology: Towards a cultural explanation

Digging deeper: The archaeology of gold mining in Queensland

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