Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Research and Innovation in the Canadian Business Sector
STAS 343
L02
Mid-term Paper
The Council of Canadian Academies published a study analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian research and the innovation in its business sector. This editorial piece critically describes the purpose, approach and findings of the report. It then focuses on the details of three aspects; weak Canadian business research and development, the firm-centric model in an innovation ecosystem and the key trends that will drive sciences and technology policy in and business innovation the future. Finally it will assess the proposed recommendations as compared to what science and technology theory has suggested.
The main purpose of the study was explaining two paradoxical situations. First, reason behind the weak translation of Canadian research excellence into measurable innovation in the business sector. Second, the means by which the economy managed to sustain prosperity thus far with a relatively less innovative business sector. In it’s quest to find an answer, the council studied in much detail the current situation of research and business innovation. Based on its study the council argued that the research is strong by international measures while the business innovation is lagging behind. It suggested the importance of research support as research is a source of highly qualified personal, provides access from within to knowledge necessary for advancement and most importantly makes Canada attractive in the eyes of investment in knowledge-based industries. On the other hand, the reported strongly suggested the Canadian business innovation is not up to the level of what it is in other countries of the OECD. However, the report goes back to contradict with that statement by stating that the businesses in Canada where indeed as innovative as they needed to be thus far. It further suggests that businesses did not need to commit any further towards innovative practices because of a number of
L02
Mid-term Paper
The Council of Canadian Academies published a study analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the Canadian research and the innovation in its business sector. This editorial piece critically describes the purpose, approach and findings of the report. It then focuses on the details of three aspects; weak Canadian business research and development, the firm-centric model in an innovation ecosystem and the key trends that will drive sciences and technology policy in and business innovation the future. Finally it will assess the proposed recommendations as compared to what science and technology theory has suggested.
The main purpose of the study was explaining two paradoxical situations. First, reason behind the weak translation of Canadian research excellence into measurable innovation in the business sector. Second, the means by which the economy managed to sustain prosperity thus far with a relatively less innovative business sector. In it’s quest to find an answer, the council studied in much detail the current situation of research and business innovation. Based on its study the council argued that the research is strong by international measures while the business innovation is lagging behind. It suggested the importance of research support as research is a source of highly qualified personal, provides access from within to knowledge necessary for advancement and most importantly makes Canada attractive in the eyes of investment in knowledge-based industries. On the other hand, the reported strongly suggested the Canadian business innovation is not up to the level of what it is in other countries of the OECD. However, the report goes back to contradict with that statement by stating that the businesses in Canada where indeed as innovative as they needed to be thus far. It further suggests that businesses did not need to commit any further towards innovative practices because of a number of