In his third lecture, Lord Broers turns his attention to the way technology, and in particular technological innovation, is managed and marketed.
He believes that the market is the best regulator and those who develop technologies without taking the customer into account are asking for trouble.
Taking the example of the Airbus aircraft, Broers suggests that product development has become a global affair.
Universities come in for particular criticism as, despite their strengths in fundamental research, the academic mindset isn't able to focus sufficiently on product development.
![Airbus A380 [Image: CmdrCord under CC-BY-NC-SA licence]](/openlearn/files/ole/imported/14061/airbusa380_catland.jpg)
CmdrCord via Flickr
Airbus A380 [Image: CmdrCord under CC-BY-NC-SA licence]
Our Experts' Responses
Globalised innovation: One size fits all?
Tom Hewitt
A one world approach can lead to one size fits all results, warns Tom Hewitt in his response to Lord Broer's third Reith Lecture. Read more : Globalised innovation: One size fits all?
The 15% rule
OU
You have to make time for innovation, says Joyce Fortune in response to the third of Lord Broer's Reith Lectures. Read more : The 15% rule
Innovative innovation
OU
Lord Broers' suggestions offer a new way of managing inspiration, says Nick Braithwaite in response to the third Reith Lecture. Read more : Innovative innovation
Keeping distance, staying involved
Derek Matravers
Universities must keep a step back from the world of commerce, says Derek Matravers in response the third of Lord Broers' Reith Lectures. Read more : Keeping distance, staying involved
You can listen to the lecture, or read a transcript, on the BBC Radio 4 website.
First broadcast: Wednesday 6 Apr 2005 on BBC Radio 4
Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology in more depth:
Reith Lectures 2005: Alec Broers
BBC
Get to know the lecturer Alec Broers. Read more : Reith Lectures 2005: Alec Broers
OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Nanotechnology and nanoscience
BBC
Lord Broers suggests that the future of technology lies in a very, very small direction indeed. Read more : OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Nanotechnology and nanoscience
OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Risk and responsibility
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Lord Broers delivers the last of his series of five Reith Lectures Read more : OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Risk and responsibility
OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Technology will determine the future of the human race
BBC
In the first of his Reith Lectures series, Lord Alec Broers suggests that technology will determine the future of the human race. Do our experts... Read more : OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Technology will determine the future of the human race
OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Working Together: The need for collaboration
BBC
Lord Broers takes on the subject of collaboration for his second lecture - but what do our team make of his views? Read more : OU on the BBC: Reith 2005: The Triumph of Technology - Working Together: The need for collaboration
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