Features of Interaction Between Russian Enterprises and Research Organisations in the Field of Innovation

Abstract

Co-operation, knowledge co-creation and exchange are core components of modern economic models of innovation development. Intensity and efficiency of linkages is widely considered as one of the major determinants of innovation system performance.

This paper presents empirical estimates of the scale and character of interactions between companies and research organisations in the Russian economy. The data are derived from the surveys of 1000 enterprises (2011) and 1000 research organisations (2012). The questionnaire is designed to allow characterization of cooperative practices and knowledge demand and supply.

One of the key findings on the demand side is significant heterogeneity of involvement by sectors in the knowledge transfer process. Specific sectors (e.g. petrochemistry, equipment manufacturing) are tightly integrated with R&D institutions, while others (e.g. consumer goods, wood processing industries) are not linked to the Russian S&T development complex. This diversity of practices is partly determined by the overall allocation of resources within the economy as well as specific competition regimes that limit short- and medium-term benefits from R&D.

Similarly, on the knowledge supply side, R&D organisations do not treat technology transfer as a priority strategy for sustainable development. Indeed, they focus on intellectual services instead of R&D, that is, on consulting andmodification of existing technologies. Among innovation-active companies, only 14% rely on the R&D results of Russian research centers. Of those actually engaged in co-operation, 12% of companies indicate implementation of new-to-the-world products or production processes and 29% new-to-the-country innovations.

Generally, low demand for R&D meets limited novelty of research results produced by the research organisations (compared to the technologies available on the global markets). Thus there are limited enclaves of efficient co-operation. These are mainly grouped around traditionally arranged institutional linkages as well as existing allocations of financial resources across the economic sectors.