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Materials and materials technologies are recognized to be key underpinning and critically enabling areas of R&D. Most industrial sectors and fields of technology application depend upon them. Materials research can provide new solutions capable of optimizing the application of current technologies, minimizing their negative side effects and reducing production costs. However, the long development time and slow return on materials research investments make industry reluctant to take on the associated risks. This alone suggests that policy initiatives to sustain long‐term research efforts are necessary. This article considers the policy findings of national foresight initiatives in the area of materials and material technologies.

The transport system is fundamental to both meeting social needs and providing the lifeblood for the economy. In recent years, transport and especially the automotive sector has had to respond to increased competition and environmental concerns. Technological innovations in transport appear particularly important since they could provide competitive advantage for providers of transport technology and also address environmental issues. This article considers both short‐term and long‐term policy implications which emerge from analysis of national foresight studies in the area of transport.

Quality certification to international standards is an obligatory requirement for automotive and truck industry suppliers of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The unique aspect of companies that had their foundation in research and development (R&D) and evolve to operations is that they require a different approach to implement and certify their quality management system. This paper aims to investigate this issue.

The strategy was to plan an effective implementation of a quality system through the continual application of internal audits and supplier readiness reviews. The evaluation processes for departments and stakeholders had been in place since the first “Gap” audit when assessing the level of compliance against the international standard and the customer requirements.

Seven aspects were part of the readiness reviews (Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Material Control, Supplier Control, and APQP). Each aspect was assessed independently up to its complete implementation. The level of engagement of the implementation team and the commitment of the top management were increased with each audit result.

Creation and improvement of policies, procedures and forms were part of the strategy to ensure that the internal audit process remains objective de rigueur to assess the effective implementation of the system. Check‐lists and recurrent internal audits were performed on the brand‐new operations activities of the company.

The introduction of the known maturity level of processes is a method of factorizing and setting priorities for the implementation.

This chapter addresses the stage at which entrepreneurs figure out that they have reached their level of incompetence (Peter & Hull, 1969) and how they might overcome it. Recommendations are made to aid entrepreneurs realize when this key moment has arrived, as well as to lay out an action plan to help them either become a professional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or move aside and let a professional CEO run their company. Based on a state of the art review, this chapter identifies the most valued personality traits and skills, as well as leadership styles, for both entrepreneurs and professional CEOs. Those attributes are summarized as ideal job descriptions to help CEOs detect gaps between their current personality profile and the one that best meets company needs at each stage of the business’ lifecycle.

Increasing urbanization in the Asia and Pacific region is leading to a rapid increase in the number of megacities. A major concern is the issue of sustainable transport. This article describes the procedures used and results of a multi‐economy foresight study of sustainable transport in megacities of the Asia‐Pacific region. Key issues and policy actions needed are identified.