Assessment of the Department of Science and Technology's Abaca Fabric Technologies Towards the Alignment of these Technologies to the Market Needs of the Pinukpok (Abaca) Fabric Manufacturers / Ana Marie Z. Barrameda

Year : 2005

Number of Pages : 31 leaves

Adviser : Prof. Glen A. Imbang

Executive Summary

The garment and textile industries are being threatened by the abolition of the quota next year wherein these industries will face still competition from other member countries of the World Trade Organization. In order to cope with this challenge the Department of Science and Technology through its agencies such as the Philippine Textile and Research Institute (PTRI) created programs in the form of technical services, training, consultancy, textile processing and testing, technology commercialization, and contract research/service.

Since we cannot compete globally in terms of producing synthetic fibers indigenous fibers such that of abaca are being developed and improved so our textile industry can build its core competence around these home-grown fibers. Currently small and medium enterprises in the provinces are engage in the production of these local fibers. Generally, these types of businesses do not have the capability to put up their own research and development facilities thus they are dependent on government laboratories such that of the PTRI to produce or improve their needed technologies and help them acquire the technologies. It is in this context that the project, Assessment of DOST's Abaca Fabric Technologies towards the Alignment of these technologies to the Market Needs of the Abaca Fabric Manufacturers in Albay, was conducted. The project specifically identified and evaluated the DOST's programs that have been adopted by the producers of pinukpok fabric. At the same time it pinpointed the factors that affect the adoption of DOST's programs by the pinukpok manufacturers. With regard to the methods of research, the researcher utilized the library, the internet, extensive interviews with the pinukpok producer and heads of the PTRI Technical Services Division and observation of the production plant. The data gathered were analyzed in accordance with the stated objectives of the study. The final output of the project is a comprehensive report of the DOST's programs that were adopted by the pinukpok producers and recommendations that will help the PTRI in aligning their future abaca fabric technologies towards the market needs of the pinukpok manufacturers. The findings of the study showed that these elements are involve in the technology transfer: (1) the availability of expertise shown by the scientists and researchers who develop the technologies after research, piloting and demonstration (2) presence of interested adoptors/entrepreneurs (3) mechanism for transfer such as technology training and seminars (4) availability of capital or assets/resources, raw materials supply, working capital, equipment for the use/application of technology (5) the linkages with relevant individuals and/or institutions and (6) markets. In addition, R and D is facilitated by the following : (1) by demand driven partnership between research institutions/university and industry (2) availability of R & D funds for small and medium-sized enterprises for product improvement and new product and process development and (3) royalty from commercialization of output or other appropriate incentives which will encourage greater involvement in technology application and production activities. (Ancog, 2001) Getting innovative products and services from idea to market can be very difficult. This concern reinforced the need for far more collaboration between academic institutions, private investors, corporations, research laboratories and government to bring new products/services from concept to customer. Hence, several policy programs can be created through closer cooperation among these groups to enhance technology commercialization. These are : (1) review of the program and projects of the Research and Development Institutes (RDIs) in relation to the private sector's requirements (2) assessment of the financing and non-financing support system for technology adoption and commercialization (3) continuous improvement of entrepreneurial and technology exploitation capability of technology adoptors and (4) evaluation of human resource development for scientists and researchers.