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
Another important concept that is used to critic the findings of the report is the commercialization of science and technology outputs. The theory of science and technology policy suggests that supporting research and development of science and technology in the first place to commercialize the outputs has not contributed significantly towards the economic growth.

The report describes the very important concept of the innovation ecosystem that would result in a very innovative business sector. In these ecosystem firms are and not only the end users of products of research, instead they are a key player in producing and promoting innovation. However, the presence of firms in this ecosystem and their firm-centric perspective on innovation as a whole is related to four important factors. These include the market conditions, knowledge generation, innovation facilitation and policy-making. In terms of the market demand conditions the report identifies two key components that make firms more innovative; a deep understanding of the market and continually increasing demand the drives competition. The report however does not link the weakness of the Canadian business research and development as a cause for the insufficient understanding of the market. Stronger BERD would eventually help firms,