Technological innovations, as well as the social innovations needed to provide adequate support systems for them, are among the important foundations for economic and industrial growth in the world today. Consequently, the discussions in this important volume of the emerg ing "sociotechnical" trends in various industries around the world are highly instructive and timely. We can learn much of value from oth ers around the world who are facing similar problems of economic and industrial development. Sociotechnical innovation requires a global set ting to be fully understood and appreciated...