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Business R&D
21/08/2009
The level of business research and development (R&D) in Scotland needs to increase to avoid missed opportunities, according to a report published today.
The Scottish Science Advisory Council's (SSAC) latest report - Business R&D in Scotland: A Missing Link - outlines the factors which influence the low level of business R&D in Scotland.
The report, referring to competitiveness in the Scottish business sector in preparation for the end of the recession, recommends actions including:
- Effective incentives for business take up of R&D and a strengthened pipeline of support
- Putting in place measures to enhance management skills in business R&D and
- Encouraging business to recognise the value of investment in R&D
The report suggests that economic competitiveness will not improve through research-led innovation unless industry increases its ability to draw on the expertise of Scotland's world class academic base.
Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland and Co-Chair of the SSAC, added:
"Scotland's universities, colleges and research institutes have a well-earned reputation for producing world-class science. Now is the right time for Scotland's business and industry to take advantage of this.
"There is a compelling argument for business to benefit from the substantial public investment in our research base and to translate this into focussed business R&D programmes in collaboration with academia. Our research base has a role to play too, in reaching out to industry to help turn lab-based developments into the new products and processes that will boost our economy."
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather, during a visit to environmental services company Total Waste Management Alliance Ltd in Aberdeen, said:
"It is increasingly the case that innovation is essential in driving and achieving sustainable growth. Never more so than in the current economic climate when we need to win new markets and retain existing ones. Fortunately Scottish businesses have the golden opportunity to help foster that necessary innovative approach by utilising Scotland's world class research base.
"Our Economic Recovery Programme plans a course of action to get the economy back on track and our recently published Innovation Framework highlights how we will support business and help stimulate innovation. I share the SSAC's vision of an economy with science and innovation at its core and will consider its recommendations carefully to help achieve our long-term ambitions for Scotland."
Professor Steve Beaumont, Vice Principal for Research, University of Glasgow and member of the SSAC, said:
"Scottish industry appears to be less research intensive than business in the same sector elsewhere. If we are to accelerate innovation in the economy, companies need more incentives to invest in R&D and this in turn will help them capitalise on the strength of our universities."
The SSAC is Scotland's highest level advisory body for science, engineering and technology. The SSAC is an independent advisory body providing advice and recommendations on science strategy, policy and priorities to the Scottish Government's Chief Scientific Adviser. The SSAC Council Membership is:
- Professor Anne Glover CBE, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, and SSAC Co-Chair
- Professor Stuart Monro OBE, Scientific Director, Our Dynamic Earth and SSAC Independent Co-Chair
- Professor Steve Beaumont OBE, Vice Principal, University of Glasgow
- Professor Alan Bundy, Professor of Automated Reasoning in the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh
- Professor Michael Ferguson CBE, Dean of Research for the College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee
- Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive, Moredun Research Institute
- Dr Karen Jervis, Commercial Director and Chief Operating Officer, BigDNA
- Professor Chris van der Kuyl, Chief Executive, brightsolid Limited
- Professor Jim McDonald, Vice Chancellor and Principal Strathclyde University
- Professor Peter Morgan, Vice Principal, University of Aberdeen, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health
- Professor Andy Porter, Professor of Biotechnology and Deputy Director of the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen
- Professor Stuart Reid, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow
- Mr Ian Ritchie, CBE, Non-Executive Chairman of Iomart plc, Scapa, CAS, Casapian Learning and the Interactive Design Institute
- Dr Barbara Spruce, Senior Lecturer, University of Dundee
- Professor Joyce Tait CBE, Scientific Adviser, Innogen, University of Edinburgh
- Professor Bob Tooze, Managing Director of Sasol Technology UK Ltd
- Professor Graham Wren, Managing Director, GSE Systems Limited
- Professor Ian Underwood, Professor of Electronic Displays, School of Engineering and Electronics, University of Edinburgh