Tuesday 27 April 2010

A different viewpoint is needed to maximise value from some CRCs

Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) need to overcome an identity crisis in order to fully maximise their contribution to Australian innovation, Dr John Kapeleris , Deputy CEO at the Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC), suggested to delegates at the recent LESANZ conference.

Dr John Kapeleris says CRCs don’t just have a binary ‘either/or’ choice between public good and commercial interests in executing their strategy. Instead, they should adopt a dual-benefit focus to fully optimise their contribution.

“Many CRCs believe that pursuing “public good” means they should avoid commercialisation at all costs” said Dr Kapeleris.

“However, our research has found that the best CRCs approach research projects with a dual-focus – allowing for the possibility that outcomes can reveal value on several levels.”

Dr Kapeleris presented new research from the AIC based on interviews with a number of top performing CRCs that outlines the parameters and criteria on what optimises “value” at the Licensing Executives Society of Australian & New Zealand (LESANZ) Annual Conference, held in Adelaide 22 – 24 April.

Dr Kapeleris identified four “value currencies” for CRCs – economic, social, community and environmental – and believes those involved in CRC projects should focus on how research outcomes can create value across all four value currencies.

“CRCs should have partners across the four currencies. True open innovation requires greater collaboration, with the best CRCs steering away from having just one industry partner and one or two research partners on each of their projects.”

Although relationships and collaboration are fundamental to CRCs by their very definition, the AIC’s research found that some work much harder than others in nurturing and developing these collaborations. Also included in desirable criteria for successful CRCs is the need to optimise knowledge transfer.

“It sounds obvious, but our research has shown many CRCs don’t have a clear idea on how they will communicate their research, what the market need is for such research, and how they can commercialise that research.”

“Knowledge is power – as long as you can share and use it,” said Dr Kapeleris.

“CRCs are good examples of open innovation in action, but there is even more that can be done to get the most out of the research produced by Australian CRCs.”

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