CSIRO: Partnering for the future
John H Howard
Adjunct Professor, Innovation Policy, School of Business and Government, University of Canberra; Director, Research, Australian Council for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Canberra ACT
PP: 146 - 158
Abstract
CSIRO was established in 1949 to provide research for industry and government to enhance Australia's economic development and international competitiveness. Over a period of almost 60 years CSIRO has undergone a process of evolution and change. A substantial proportion of the organisation's research revenue is now derived from external sources and there is a greater commitment to partnering and collaboration with other public research agencies, universities, industry and government.
More recently, CSIRO has adopted a much greater strategic focus in nine key areas of research through the Flagships Program. The research programme focus of the collaboration through cooperative research centres has given way to a more project-oriented approach through specific and targeted collaborations and joint ventures. These changes are re-stating the role and focus of CSIRO in Australia's national innovation system.
Keywords
CSIRO, innovation, collaboration, partnering, joint ventures, cooperative research centres, commercialisation
References
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