Publication: R&D Institutes in ECA : A Reform Strategy
Date
2009-04
ISSN
Published
2009-04
Author(s)
Abstract
In Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECA)
countries, the states own and operate most of the research
and development institutes (RDIs). These institutes often
play an important and even dominant role in conducting
research and development (R&D). In high-income
economies, however, the private sector typically dominates
R&D. Private sector research usually responds better to
market incentives, resulting in more useful innovations than
public sector R&D, although the two are complementary.
In general, the economic impact of RDIs in ECA has been low.
Although several ECA RDIs are able to publish and patent as
much as their high-income economy counterparts, the quality
of their research and ability to diffuse knowledge is
lagging and their international publications are not highly
cited. In addition, their patents are not translated into
commercial applications through licensing or contract
research with industry. A reform strategy is proposed here
for RDIs in ECA, based on their relevance to national
priorities, expected role as providers of public versus
private goods, performance levels, and relation to relevant
markets and users. When deciding on the appropriate
ownership and management structures for the RDIs,
governments need to distinguish among RDIs that provide
mainly public goods, RDIs that sell or could possibly sell
mainly private goods and services, and RDIs that produce
public and private goods.
Citation
“Racine, Jean-Louis; Goldberg, Itzhak; Goddard, John Gabriel; Kuriakose, Smita; Kapil, Natasha. 2009. R&D Institutes in ECA : A Reform Strategy. Europe and Central Asia Knowledge Brief; Volume No. 3. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/a38c550f-e984-508b-a680-d2e747329e28 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”