There are four major areas of investigation:
InnoCom brings together the work of researchers experienced in both the practical management of science, technology and innovation policy at senior levels of government and in academic research in disciplines relating to science, technology and innovation policy and practice. InnoCom's activities are designed to integrate and build on the complementary strengths of the investigators: statistical analysis and measurement of science and technology (Holbrook), analysis of actors and networks in technology-based firms (Smith), systems of innovation and technical skills management (Schuetze), government policy and industrial economic geography (Padmore), tax policy and management of technology (Lipsett), theory of innovation and historical evidence (Langford & Langford) and the role of universities, government laboratories and multinational enterprises in the development of "entrepot" clusters (Phillips).
Both ISRN and InnoCom were set up at a critical moment in the evolution of science and technology policy. The National Research Council is seeking ways to position itself to support industrial innovation and to tailor its operations to regional industry clusters. Our indicator development project and the innovation survey will support the NRC's wish to characterize innovation processes in firms. The province of British Columbia is seeking new ways of measuring innovation activity and developing innovative industrial clusters, and has released a strategic plan for science and technology that calls for more innovation in the primary resource sector, as well as advanced manufacturing and service industries. Other federal and provincial agencies will benefit from our work, and will participate in the planned workshops.
The sector-based situation
analysis and innovation profiling is as relevant to corporate policy formation
as it is to public policy. In the long term, we will test this idea directly
by seeking corporate support for portions of our research program.