Wellington
We need to get much more fusion and synergy between our scientists and firms according to TheTreasury.
There’s enough statistics to show that while our research output is pretty good by OECDstandards, and the hours worked in NZ are already high.
Compared to Australia however, an hour worked in New Zealand produces about 30% less value-addedthan an hour worked across the ditch
Analysis by the OECD shows that between 25 – 45% of productivity gains come from innovation,“so it’s crucial that we deepen our understanding of how innovation happens and get much, muchbetter at is so the economy can deliver the higher living standards we’re aiming for,” Littlesays.
(Yet) another OECD report shows that we’re not very good at converting research knowledge intocommercial opportunities and higher value – technology diffusion and adoption is a weakness forNZ.
“What is key is getting science connected with business, so science can give business a hand-upto solve problems entrepreneurs are grappling with and to realise opportunities they haveglimpsed,” Little says.
NZ needs to get the best out of substantial changes occurring in the science system, and the newMinistry of Science and Innovation will need to live up to its name and ensure that innovation is ascentre stage as science policy he says.
“It will probably mean some shift of focus and funding from ‘blue skies’ and basic researchto applied research of relevance to firms,” Little says. “And to apply energy and drive togetting a step-change in collaboration and knowledge transfer both in the science sector and betweenthe science sector and firms.”
He acknowledges that science contributes important outcomes for NZ, including environmental,health and social; but that being from Treasury, he tends to use an economic lens.
“We must build up a stronger focus, not just on commercialisation and technology push, butknowledge transfer more generally,” says Little. “To capitalise on our innovation potential, wehave to ensure that the flow of ideas is genuinely two way – not just from public researchorganisations to firms, but from firms to scientists, scientists to scientists and, where possible,from firms to firms. Building stronger networks, with highly mobile researchers with strong links toindustry will be part of this, as well as accessing and adapting the best ideas from abroad.”
Quite.