The Role of Public R&D Laboratories in Innovation Networks: a Comparison between Canada and Mexico

The purpose of this study is to analyze those institutional arrangements that support the development of knowledge and innovation networks, particularly those that surround public R&D laboratories. Institutional arrangements include public policies as well as conditions that are necessary to build the proper kind of interactions among organizations. In Mexico, these processes are beginning to develop, in some cases with the support of regional-level policies. Internationally, different policy schemes have proven successful at the local and regional level. Policy development networks, where bottom-up and national and provincial directives interact, are being successfully implemented. In comparing the Mexican and Canadian experiences, some common characteristics can be identified that can lead to the development of adequate environments for innovation networks. Fieldwork reported here has consisted of organizational case studies of R&D laboratories in Mexico and Canada. These case studies include extensive documentation of organizational structure and practices, analysis of strategic planning documents and operating reports, as well as in-depth interviews with researchers, with higher management, and with representatives of organizations with which they interact. Interviews also include government agency officials and representatives of firms that have used or sought to use the laboratories' services. Networks studied include fuel cells technology, medical biotechnology, agro biotechnology, electro chemistry, metal mechanics and software industry, for example. The comparison of several innovation networks in Canada, which are more developed, with those that are beginning to develop in Mexico, enables the identification of viable alternatives for the design and implementation of policy initiatives for their development. Implications for further research and for policy design and implementation are discussed, particularly with respect to the role that R&D labs can play in policy implementation.