Abstract:
The aim of this research was to understand how a research organisation could practice inbound innovation and manage intellectual property to make a greater positive impact onresearch partners. A qualitative approach was taken. The methodology used was a case study. The method of data collection was semi-structured interview. Nine participants took part in this study, they were: three Government funders; three from the private sector; and three Crown Research Institutes. Participants were selected on the following criteria; a Government funder that had partnered with the private sector to fund research, and the research carried out by a Crown Research Institute. Five key themes emerged from the research: outcomes (public domain and commercial); capabilities; leverage (money and background intellectual property); lack of understanding, largely caused by the Crown Research Institutes Act 1992; and trust. It could be concluded that if a Crown Research Institute defined itself as a R&D service provider it could do open innovation and manage IP. Crown Research Institutes could seek contracts based on outcome (public domain and commercial), and reach a balance of either outcome to achieve the purposes of the Act. As a service provider any outcomes that have been paid for by an entity seeking research services would be owned by the payer. Mechanisms should be put in place for the discovery of outcomes that are outside the scope of a project. Inbound innovation would not make an impact on existing research contracts, because it was expected that the Crown Research Institute would have the capabilities to do the research. It was discovered that building trusting relationships could create a virtuous cycle that enables a research organisation to manage IP, do open innovation and make a beneficial impact on research partners. Trust is a part of relational governance; relational governance is an enabler of inbound innovation; and inbound innovation can be used to create a greater positive impact on research partners and can allow for the attraction of new business opportunities.