LDC industrial research institute effectiveness

Final report covers the life of the project, 1973-1980, and was prepared by the contractor, the Denver Research Institute (DRI). DRI established linkages with three LDC IRI"s: the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Institute of Technological Investigations in Colombia, and the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research. IRI"s were improved in regard to: staff development; ability to provide TA in areas such as coal research, mineral resources development, and food packaging; delivering technical information, especially by institutionalizing an information capability; and the employment of women, especially insofar as IRI"s were made entry points for women into the technology transfer process. All three IRI"s increased in confidence as the project progressed. Success of the linkages depended on a flexible approach and on mutual understanding regarding the purpose of the linkage and respective institutional capabilities. DRI recommends that A.I.D. continue the above linkages and promote joint ventures between linked institutions. The experimental R&D program was aimed at developing methods for training IRI managers and for establishing indigenous R&D management development programs. DRI conducted workshops on these issues, attended by a total of 235 LDC IRI personnel, in Tunisia, Guatemala, Thailand, and Indonesia; the latter two workshops produced ongoing management training programs. DRI also documented workshop results in a handbook for IRI management development. The program confirmed the overriding need for improved R&D management in LDC IRI"s and the value of workshops in meeting that need. Especially needed is more training of IRI"s in the techno-economic aspects of R&D projects. Only 10 grants were awarded in the research grants program. While results were modest, it was generally concluded that LDC IRI"s, when properly organized, equipped, and related to other development activities, can be an invaluable aid to development. Specific recommendations to improve the grants program are provided.