Trends in the Chemical Industry. 1987 Survey of ACS Corporation Associates.

American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 (first copy free as long as supply lasts).

N

90

Researchers; Policymakers; Practitioners

Chemical Industry; Chemistry; College Science; Engineering Education; Higher Education; Information Needs; Interdisciplinary Approach; International Cooperation; National Surveys; Professional Associations; Public Opinion; Science and Society; Science Education; Technological Advancement; Telecommunications

In July, 1986, the American Chemical Society (ACS) initiated a study which was intended to address future trends in the chemical industry. A survey was developed by and distributed to the member companies of Corporation Associates, which is the formal link between ACS and the chemical industry. The Executive Summary of the report, which makes up the first section of the document, identifies and discusses the following findings: (1) a significant majority of company representatives are generally satisfied with the quality of recent graduates in the chemical sciences and engineering; (2) the chemical industry is being intermingled with other disciplines in the pursuit of new endeavors, such as biotechnology; (3) information requirements have increased and there is more demand for information to be available electronically; (4) only modest changes in the availability of human resources were observed; (5) public image of the chemical industry has deteriorated; (6) international science and technology communications are on the rise; and (7) the image of the ACS has remained that of a competent, professional organization. Section two, which makes up the major portion of the document, contains a compilation of the responses to the questions included in the survey. Some references for further reading comprise section three. (TW)

1988

ED286724