view, others argue that "science is not a lottery 

 with guaranteed prizes. Many lines of research pro- 

 duce no profits, or at least none measurable in terms 

 of money." There are also some who emphasize that 

 the magnitude of the socio-economic return depends 

 not only on the result itself, but also on the speed 

 and scale of its application. Many a good scientif- 

 ic idea or engineering solution quickly becomes ob- 

 solete. 26 



In addition to this diversity of opinion about the 

 efficiency of technology, various procedures have 

 been developed for calculating its effectiveness. Un- 

 til recently, each ministry and state committee used 

 its own method and set of indicators. Without uni- 

 form methodology, however, any comparative evalua- 

 tion and choice among alternative S&T designs is im- 

 possible. Significantly in February 1977, a unified 

 methodology for the calculation of the economic re- 

 turn of new technology, inventions, and efficiency 

 proposals was made compulsory for all branches of the 

 economy. The procedures contained in the methodology 

 had been tested since 1971 in the unified fund minis- 

 tries. However, in spite of the comprehensiveness of 

 the methodology and the extensive preparation and ex- 

 perimentation behind it, the individual ministries 

 are still required to devise instructions for adap- 

 ting it to their own accounting practices and cate- 

 gories of output. 27 



In general, past procedures for measuring economic 

 return have had major deficiencies. The anticipated 

 effect has been systematically exaggerated, and the 

 actual return is not properly considered or monitored. 

 In fact, no statistics are kept in this regard. The 

 system of incentives is also pegged to the calcula- 

 ted return. Not surprisingly, therefore, Lev Gatov- 

 sky, a prominent authority on the subject, confirms 

 frankly, "Up to now the economic effectiveness of new 

 technology has not been a leading principle in econom- 

 ic management or an object of planning. "2° V. S. Ta- 

 rasovich and Yu. B. Kliuka add, 



261 



