Electronic scientific journals, such as the one published by the American Astronomical Society, are emerging. Intel jumped from 54th place in 1984 to 15th place in 1994. The next most commonly used advanced technology was the numerically controlled machine, which was used by 47 percent of establishments. The U.S. trade surplus in software technology doubled over a 5-year period. Foreign and domestic technology capabilities are growing.
Foreign inventors receive patents focused on several commercially important technologies.
For example, Japanese and German inventors earn large numbers of U.S. patents in information technology. U.S. manufacturers are increasing their use of advanced technologies. A 1993 survey of U.S. establishments found that 75 percent used at least one advanced technology and 29 percent used at least five technologies, up from 68 percent and 23 percent, respectively, in 1988. Larger U.S. plants that produce higher priced products and U.S. establishments that compete in foreign markets were more likely to use advanced technologies than were other U.S. establishments. About 94 percent of U.S. establishments where exports represented 20 to 49 percent of total shipments use at least one advanced technology.