Studying Issues Related to Industry and Technology: A Journey into Interdisciplinarity

Abstract

No research can be perfect without an interdisciplinary approach, especially in studies related to industry, which is the most dynamic of all societal aspects. Industry is sensitive to socio-economic and political scenarios. The legal system also is not free from its impact. The course of social change is thus determined by industry and technology which are inseparable from each other. This paper is an autobiographical account of various studies conducted during the last 30 years. They range from alienation of work to issues in labour law and a trilogy on (1) technological change and industrial relations; (2) all facets of technology assimilation while getting technology from multinational corporations with their equity participation and under foreign direct investment; and (3) spin-offs from dual-use technologies and their commercialization. The research journey also shows how one topic of research emerged from another and in order to understand the issues from all possible angles, an interdisciplinary approach has no substitute.