TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS PERFORMANCE AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIPS

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Abstract

The research institutes’ dilemma in successfully bringing their breakthrough technological innovations to the market has remained major concern in most developing economies. Zimbabwe is no exception. The theory of Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) and their increasing applicability in especially the provision of public facilities and services has commanded some research interest worldwide. However, not much attempts have been made to unlock the value in the PPP’s capability in enhancing commercialization of technological innovations, worst still from a developing economy’s perspective. This paper explores the role of PPPs in ensuring successful Research and Development, and Commercialization (R & D-C) of research outcomes. Guided by a systematic literature review on key success factors of PPPs, cases of two forms of PPPs (a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) PPP, and a concession contract) were studied and their operations were monitored and evaluated, in comparison to institutes not engaged in any partnership – to supplement data obtained through key informant interviews. The study established that research institutes engaged in PPPs had relatively fewer commercialization challenges for their output as compared to those who were not engaged. However, it emerged that there are limitations regarding observance of the critical success factors, thereby hindering progress of the prevailing PPPs. The findings of this study imply that there are limited understandings surrounding the value that could be unlocked in commercializing research institutes’ innovations through PPPs. To the few existing PPPs, there is lack of integrative frameworks for the management of, and success of the PPPs. Anchored on promoting ideal collaborations in which all key values are honoured, the study proposes a framework that emphasizes a collaboration in which the public research institute concentrates on research and development, while the private firm partner uses her market analytics to focus on getting the product to the market.

Keywords: Commercialization, Developing Economies, Innovations, Research Institutes, PPPs

How to cite this paper: Saruchera, F., & Phiri, M. A. (2016). Technological innovations performance and public-private-partnerships. Corporate Ownership & Control, 13(4-4), 549-557. https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv13i4c4p4