Transferring R&D Outputs to Industry: Strategies of R&D Organizations

Abstract

Stanislav Zaichenko — Senior Research Fellow, Laboratory for Economics of Innovation, Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University — Higher School of Economics. E-mail: szaichenko@hse.ru. Address: National Research University — Higher School of Economics, 20, Myasnitskaya str., Moscow, 101000

Science, technology and innovation policy in Russiais at thethreshold of the transitionto a complexsystem of flexibletargetedregulation andthe development of innovation activities.In parallel, increasing attention is paid to the definition of guidelines and typologies to distinguish behaviors of key actors in the innovation processes, their development strategies, and features of individual performance. The paper analyzes the basic strategies that guide domestic organizations engaged in research and development when transferring the results of their activities to industry. The study is based on micro data collected by the HSE ISSEK experts in 2011 in the framework of the project “Innovation Activities of the Innovation Process Actors Monitoring” and it uses factor analysis.

Depending on the degree of novelty of the transferred technologies there are three identified segments of scientific organizations manifesting one of the following behavioral patterns: innovation (introduction of developments that are unique both in  domestic and foreign markets, and feature qualitatively new characteristics matching or surpassing current standards), modification (introduction of technologies new to the implementing organization, although not to the market and adaptation (modification and improvement of technology previously used by the implementing organization).

Analyzing the key features of research organizations allows composing an average depiction of separate segments. The study reveals significant differences between these segments in their methods and means of technology transfer and required public support mechanisms. The conclusion presents policy recommendations.