Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8.2
The Experiences of ICT and Automation Pioneers
Post-1989
After 1989, the situation for ICT and automation pioneers was in many ways worse
than it had been previously. Under the previous system, they had been at least
allowed to lead one technical project, generally to successful completion, before
being forced out. Subsequent to 1989, none of them obtained a satisfactory techni-
cal position. The case of Leading Designer 4 will now be discussed briefly.
Four large Western corporations tried to establish their operations in Wroclaw,
the former centre of ICT and automation activity. Leading Designer 4 was open to
possible cooperation with them to facilitate the technology transfer process with
resulting benefits to both the people of Poland and these firms. Unfortunately, they
were not willing to collaborate with him, as discussed below.
Corporation 1 was involved in the application of ICT to power system automa-
tion, an area in which Leading Designer 4 has extensive experience and expertise. It
was also employing several IASE workers, who were well aware of his achieve-
ments. However, it was not interested in using his expertise, for instance, as a con-
sultant. Corporation 1 also tried to exclude Leading Designer 4 from translating its
technical power industry documents into Polish, despite his considerable experi-
ence in this area and knowledge of the Polish terminology. It even went so far as to
forbid other translation agencies to subcontract this work to him. However, these
firms realised that this requirement was unreasonable and possibly illegal and so
ignored it in the interests of producing high-quality translations and greater profits.
Leading Designer 4 offered his services to Corporation 2 when it was setting up
in Wroclaw. He submitted his CV in response to a request but was not given any
work. It is possible that the firm objected to the fact he led the TV Solidarity system
in the 1980s, a project which was then illegal. If this is the case, which is by no
means definite, it seems they may have been opposed to any form of political protest.
This would be very worrying but possibly not surprising. Some large corporations
are WPR systems in their approach to dissent.
The Wroclaw office of Corporation 3 ordered translations from Leading Designer
4 and the cooperation was initially mutually beneficial. However, when they learned
of his experience in ICT and automation, they ended the relationship and did not
even pay for the last piece of work, despite Leading Designer 4 contacting their
head office.
The Lower Silesia office of Corporation 4, which was the world's leading sup-
plier of electrical and electronic systems, also commissioned translations from
Leading Designer 4. Despite receiving good-quality translations, they ended the
relationship when they learnt about his ICT and automation expertise. However,
they behaved correctly and paid everything that was owed. Needless to say, they did
not invite Leading Designer 4 to participate in the technology transfer process.
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