Research Results (ITS) / Résultats de recherches (ITS)

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    Scoping study and virtual workshop technical reports : strengthening research and industry collaborations in Africa
    (2020-09) Bolo, Maurice Ochieng
    The scoping study summarizes key models that have been implemented in different countries to strengthen research and industry collaboration, especially between the private and public sectors in Africa. Based on case studies, the report will provide annex documents related to the study, including an assessment of what has and has not worked in different contexts. A workshop elucidated new ideas and proposals for creating partnerships to enhance research and innovation in Africa.
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    Teaching and learning with technology in Sub-Saharan Africa
    (2020-12-31) Abrami, Philip C.; Wade, Anne; Lysenko, Larysa; Marsh, Jonathon; WaGioko, Maina; Del Col, Nancy; Head, Jennifer
    This report presents the summary of results of the Teaching and Learning with Technology in Sub-Saharan Africa project completed in Kenya (2016-2020). In addition to showing significant gains in student learning, the findings suggest that teaching behaviors were also positively affected by educational software applications. The project confirmed that with appropriate support, teachers are able to integrate software within their regular unscripted lessons in real-world conditions of Kenyan public primary and secondary schools. The support system was put in place to aid with the classroom implementation of the Learning Toolkit Plus (LTK+) software.
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    Imagining a Feminist Open Science - A Workshop Report
    (2018-09) Chan, Leslie; Okune, Angela
    Scholars and practitioners gathered to discuss possibilities for situated feminist open science projects in diverse global contexts. This report highlights the workshop, which included discussion of lessons learned regarding knowledge production and dissemination processes from the 3-year Open and Collaborative Science in Development Network (OCSDNet); identification of specific feminist methodologies and frameworks; and formulation of initial research questions for each of the participating projects. A brief summary of presentations, as well as key challenges and questions arising during the workshop are provided in table format.
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    Linking knowledge to innovation in government services: the case of solid waste services in local government in Sri Lanka (K2I Project)
    (LIRNEasia, Sri Lanka, 2011-07) Gamage, Sujata N.
    The objective of the action research project was to identify cost-effective and sustainable means of developing a Web of knowledge–based interactions that link any given local authority to (a) peer community (b) a knowledge community, or (c) civil society, and explore if and how such connectedness may lead to improved performance in solid waste management. We also wished to apply the concept of an innovation system to the Web of interactions so formed in order to illuminate the concept further. Using an action research methodology we have been able to elucidate that competency standards, and training and certification processes can sustain practitioner networks for cooperation in knowledge sharing in local government, and that, such practitioner networks need to be coupled with tools such as ranking surveys that create a competitive environment in the sector. Facilitating linkages between local authorities and universities or civil society groups proved to be difficult. Some possible reasons are explored.
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    Developing national systems of innovation : university-industry interactions in the global South
    (IDRC, Ottawa, ON, CA, 2015) Albuquerque, Eduardo; Suzigan, Wilson; Kruss, Glenda; Keun Lee
    The book inquires into the similarities and differences in relationships between how universities and public laboratories interact with industry (firms) in developing countries as compared with advanced industrial economies. The book is global in scope, with research based in 12 countries. Existing studies on innovation systems are quantified and further avenues of research suggested. The evolution of Universities, research institutes, and firms, as key parts of any National System of Innovation (NSI) require study; their interplay and interactions change over time, depending on the stage of development of both the acting entities, and the intensity of the links between them.
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    Future control of food : a guide to international negotiations and rules on intellectual property, biodiversity and food security [Chinese version]
    (China Agricultural Publishing, 2008)
    This book is the first wide-ranging guide to the key issues of intellectual property and ownership, genetics, biodiversity, and food security. Proceeding from an introduction and overview of the issues, comprehensive chapters cover negotiations and instruments in the World Trade Organization, Convention on Biological Diversity, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, World Intellectual Property Organization, the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, and various other international bodies. The final part discusses civil society responses to relevant changes and developments in these issues, how they affect the direction of research and development, the nature of global negotiation processes and various alternative futures.
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    Towards a more effective innovation promotion : learning lessons from the Bio-N fertilizer experience; a policy brief
    (2011-04)
    Concerted efforts to reorient farmers’ perceptions about the positive effects of biofertilizers on productivity and income are needed, as farmers have typically been conditioned to the advantages of chemical input– intensive green revolution technology. Many farmers revealed that they did not know how to use Bio-N, and discarded the Bio-N packets given to them; they were not provided with information or training about the innovation. Policy recommendations are made in this brief towards harnessing BioN’s poverty alleviation, food security and climate change adaptation potentials, and helping create an enabling environment for better operation and collaboration between innovation system domain actors.
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    CISASIA project workshop report “Towards Innovative, Liveable and Prosperous Asian Megacities”, Ibis Hotel – Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand, May 18-21, 2009
    (Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, TH, 2009)
    Most innovation takes place in cities, but some are more successful than others in creating and harnessing new knowledge. The project explores linkages between urban environments and innovation in six ASEAN megacities (Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and Singapore). The workshop aim was to develop a common understanding and research methodology for the next phase of the project. This report provides updates on aspects of the Megacities project including a review of innovation systems in Southeast Asia.
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    Introduction to special issue : interactions between public research organisations and industry in Latin America; a study on channels and benefits from the perspective of firms and researchers
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010)
    This special issue discusses the relative effectiveness of different channels of interaction between public research organisations (PROs) and industry in driving specific types of benefits for researchers and firms in Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico). The empirical evidence comes from original micro-data collected through similar questionnaires sent to the managers of firms and PRO researchers in each country. The richness of this special issue results from its origin: it emerges as a joint motivation to understand a key aspect of PRO–industry interactions through the relationship between channels and benefits.
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    Channels, benefits and risks of public–private interactions for knowledge transfer: conceptual framework inspired by Latin America
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010) Arza, Valeria
    There are both benefits and risks involved in interactions between public research organisations (PROs) and industry. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that associates firms’ and PROs’ motivations, channels of interaction and benefits. It suggests that each channel triggers predominant types of benefits and claims that policy-making to support PRO–industry (PRO-I) interactions should be selective. Policy design must take into consideration the skill-related characteristics of the actors, and the characteristics of the interaction channels in order to achieve the best possible balance between the benefits and risks of PRO-I interactions. The geographical focus of the discussion is Latin America.
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    Academy-industry links in Brazil: evidence about channels and benefits for firms and researchers
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010)
    Knowledge flows between universities, public research institutes and firms may take various channels according to agents’ motivations and expected benefits. Models were estimated to investigate which channels of interaction lead to which benefits for firms, universities and research institutes in Brazil. Bi-directional channels are shown to be particularly relevant, yielding both innovative and productive benefits for the firms and intellectual and economic benefits for the universities. As for interactions between firms and research institutes, bi-directional channels are the most important in terms of intellectual benefits for the researchers and innovative benefits for the firms. These findings seem to confirm the dual role of the universities, versus a more focused one for the research institutes, and raise policy issues. Moreover, a negative correlation between investment in internal research and development and productive benefits for the firms was found, indicating that the expected benefits of public expenditure are not turning into innovation.
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    Interactions between public research organisations and industry in Argentina
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010)
    There are various channels for the exchange of knowledge between public research organisations (PROs) and industry (I). This paper discusses the relative effectiveness of different channels in Argentina. We use micro-data from surveys on firms and researchers to confirm that specific channels of PRO-I interactions are predominantly associated with specific types of benefits. While the service channel is effective for driving the benefits for researchers, the traditional channel does so for firms. However, we find that only the bi-directional channel ensures long-term benefits simultaneously for both actors. Moreover, we show that firms’ innovative capabilities and researchers’ knowledge skills interfere in the channels–benefits relationship. Therefore, the promotion of PRO-I interactions should be designed in accordance with the types of benefits being targeted and should take account of the knowledge characteristics of the actors involved in the interaction.
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    Channels of interaction between public research organisations and industry and their benefits: evidence from Mexico
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010) Dutrénit, Gabriela; De Fuentes, Claudia; Torres, Arturo
    The process of knowledge transfer between public research organisations and industry occurs through multiple channels of interaction, however, there are differences in terms of the benefits that the agents perceive. Based on micro-data, this paper explores which channels are the most effective for triggering different benefits perceived by researchers and firms involved in such interactions in Mexico. The results suggest that researchers obtain intellectual benefits from the bi-directional and the traditional channels. Firms obtain benefits related to production activities and innovation strategies from the bidirectional and the services channels, while the traditional channel only provides production-related benefits. These results raise different policy issues. First, fostering the bi-directional channel could contribute to building virtuous circles. Secondly, it is necessary to align the incentives to foster other channels of interaction. Thirdly, a change in the researchers’ incentives is required to induce new benefits from interactions.
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    Quality of interactions between public research organisations and firms: lessons from Costa Rica
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010)
    Interactions between public research organisations (PROs) and firms may contribute to innovation and production-related benefits for firms and intellectual and economic benefits for researchers. This paper studies the impact of different channels (traditional, bi-directional, services and commercial) on the benefits received by firms and researchers in Costa Rica. We conclude that the traditional channel may generate benefits related to firms’ short-term production activities and also their long-term innovation activities. However, it is not relevant to explaining the benefits for researchers. Strengthening collaboration networks using the traditional channel seems to be the mechanism to improve the contribution of PROs to innovation in industry. Contrary to expectations, the bi-directional channel is not significant in explaining the intellectual benefits for researchers, but it helps to explain the economic benefits for researchers and also both types of benefits for firms. Thus, it does not explain the quality of interactions from the researcher’s point of view, but it explains it for firms.
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    Channels and benefits of interactions between public research organisations and industry: comparing four Latin American countries
    (Beech Tree Publishing, 2010)
    This paper compares the results of four country studies (Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico) on the relative effectiveness of channels of interactions between public research organisations (PROs) and industry in driving specific types of benefits for researchers and firms. All studies used micro-datasets developed by a joint project using common questionnaires. Channels of interactions were classified into four groups (traditional, services, bi-directional and commercial) while benefits were classified into two groups for firms (short-term production and long-term innovation) and for researchers (economic and intellectual). It is found that the bi-directional (knowledge flows in both directions) and the services (knowledge flows mainly from PROs to firms) channels drive intellectual benefits for researchers. Firms tend to value the traditional channel (i.e. graduates, publications, conferences) more than any other channel. However, it is the bi-directional channel that drives the best benefits, especially those related to contributions to innovation activities.
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    Universities and Knowledge-based Development in sub-Saharan Africa: Comparing University-Firm Interaction in Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa
    (2010)
    Research on the changing role of universities in firm learning, innovation and national economic development has not extended systematically to low income countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on an empirical survey of firms and case studies of university practices, the article examines conditions of universities, firms and their potential for interaction across a national system of innovation in three countries, Nigeria, Uganda and South Africa, in order to contribute to such analysis. In so doing, it attempts to open up a research agenda in terms of the specific challenges African countries face.
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    Globetrotting firms: Canada’s health biotechnology collaborations with developing countries
    (Nature America, 2009)
    A survey of Canadian biotech firms reveals that their biotech collaborations with developing countries are not only significant but also increasingly reciprocal in terms of the exchange of financial resources and technological know-how.
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    Tackling Meningitis in Africa
    (2012)
    Since the late 1990s, governments of Brazil and Cuba have been promoting scientific interaction emphasizing South-South collaborations. The Brazil-Cuba vaccine targeted the meningitis strain in Africa when vaccination stocks ran low, and subsequently the two organizations developped an inexpensive health product accessible also to the local populations. The Brazil-Cuba meningitis project was not their only collaboration to have benefited a third party. They are now jointly promoting health and development in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and will construct hospitals, support immunization programs, and strengthen laboratories for disease surveillance in Haiti.
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    O cultivo de algodão por pequeños agricultores e a experiência com variedades geneticamente modificadas
    (CENIT, Buenos Aires, AR, 2012)
    Este documento está baseado nos resultados do estudo “Como mejorar los beneficios socioeconômicos de la utilización de Algodón geneticamente modificado (gm) entre los peque ños del mercosur”, financiado pelo Centro Internacional de investigaciones para el Desarollo (idrc). O estudo foi coodenado pelo Centro de Investigaciones para la Transformación (cenit) – Argentina e contou com a participação do Núcleo de Economia Agrícola e Ambiental – ne do Instituto de Economia da Unicamp e o Instituto de Desarrollo – Paraguay e o Centro de Estudios sobre Ciencia, Desarollo y Educación Superior (redes) – Argentina