Tim Turpin
Western Sydney University, Business and Commerce, Faculty Member
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Background The present study was commissioned by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the D epartment of E ducation and Y outh A ffairs (DETYA) to assess the extent to which their industry-linked research funding has been meeting the... more
Background The present study was commissioned by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the D epartment of E ducation and Y outh A ffairs (DETYA) to assess the extent to which their industry-linked research funding has been meeting the G overnment's ...
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ABSTRACT Ultimately it is people who innovate; these innovators are often scientists and technologists. This paper presents data from a 2003-4 study of careers followed l by research scientists working in areas of traditional strength in... more
ABSTRACT Ultimately it is people who innovate; these innovators are often scientists and technologists. This paper presents data from a 2003-4 study of careers followed l by research scientists working in areas of traditional strength in Australia agriculture, earth sciences, life sciences and medical sciences. Carried out via the web and targeted to scientists who were publishing in journals located in the Web of Science, the study received usable responses from 515 research scientists covering principally country of education, field of research, five major positions held and motivations for changing jobs, salaries, time spent on research as careers progressed. Respondents were working largely in the public sector, mostly in higher education but with a significant sub-sample working in Commonwealth agencies, notably the CSIRO. The paper presents the experience of the general population of respondents and compares it where possible with that of CSIRO.
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Globalization of higher education, finance and industrial production has contributed to the internationalization of scientific and technical human capital (STHC). STHC is generated by and includes research and development (R&D)... more
Globalization of higher education, finance and industrial production has contributed to the internationalization of scientific and technical human capital (STHC). STHC is generated by and includes research and development (R&D) personnel, but also includes the knowledge, know-how and learning capacity embedded in their knowledge networks. As science and technology (S&T) personnel develop their careers and networks, they draw upon and contribute to the development of dispersed knowledge networks and consequently STHC. Drawing on a recent survey of publishing scientists and an analysis of publication patterns in the biological sciences, this article seeks to document and reveal the policy implications of dispersed knowledge networks for Australian science and innovation capacity.
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Innovation in the manufacturing sector in Australia, as elsewhere, owes much to the work of scientific and technological personnel. While it is now well understood that the linear model of innovation is a very partial view at best, it is... more
Innovation in the manufacturing sector in Australia, as elsewhere, owes much to the work of scientific and technological personnel. While it is now well understood that the linear model of innovation is a very partial view at best, it is nonetheless often scientific and technological personnel who provide critical innovation-related information and new ideas to their employer firms. This paper presents some results from a study we carried out in 2003-04 into the backgrounds, qualifications and careers of more than 500 publishing Australian scientists. It examines whether these scientists and technologists are being used to their maximum potential and, if not, what needs to be done to ensure this
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ABSTRACT This paper emerges from an ARC Discovery project looking at scientists' career paths and their concerns and opinions about the changing contexts of scientific practice. The paper discusses changing relationships between... more
ABSTRACT This paper emerges from an ARC Discovery project looking at scientists' career paths and their concerns and opinions about the changing contexts of scientific practice. The paper discusses changing relationships between science, economy and society that can be argued to be breaking down the autonomy of the 'republic of science'. The emergence of the contemporary 'knowledge worker' is contrasted to a particular social-historical construction of the persona of the independent 'man of science'. The paper then focuses on reporting primary data on science practitioners in Australia drawn from over 500 responses to a survey conducted online with authors publishing in scientific journals from Australian institutional locations, located through the ISI Web of Science database. This primary data and selected secondary data are used to support the hypothesis that there is a transformation underway in the gender structure of Australian scientific practice. A gendered comparison of the age, position, tenure and salary structures of the survey respondents is also undertaken. This suggests that constraints on gender participation in science practice remain. It is argued that the changing gender structure of the scientific field provides insight into the social positions that 'knowledge workers' will take in the future.
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In this chapter, we explore these issues from the perspective of Australian universities and provide evidence to allow comparison of Australia’s experience with those of our Asian neighbours. First, we briefly describe Australia’s higher... more
In this chapter, we explore these issues from the perspective of Australian universities and provide evidence to allow comparison of Australia’s experience with those of our Asian neighbours. First, we briefly describe Australia’s higher education system and review the policy context in which higher education operates. Second, we show how the functions of Australian universities have evolved by taking selected examples of important changes within the activities of teaching, research and research training, knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship. Last, we consider some implications for university structures, academic careers and national policies
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DAVID COOPER (2011), The University in Development: Case Studies of Use-Oriented Research. Cape Town: HSRC Press. 390 pp. PB. AUD58.00.
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ABSTRACT This article offers a conceptual analysis of two aspects of openness: extended feedback and absorptive capacity in the context of a developing country national innovation system. Extended feedback is defined as the capacity of... more
ABSTRACT This article offers a conceptual analysis of two aspects of openness: extended feedback and absorptive capacity in the context of a developing country national innovation system. Extended feedback is defined as the capacity of national agencies, responsible for telecentre development, to learn and share learning about the practices, ideas and information demands of people using their telecentres. This allows for a greater diffusion of knowledge across the national innovation system (NIS). Absorptive capacity is defined as the capacity of users to access and share information and apply it for productive practices. These concepts are used in this article to help explain the ways that social networks can be consolidated and extended, horizontally and vertically, through telecentres in rural Nepal and consequently contribute to social and economic development. The argument is developed that telecentres, providing there is extended feedback at the institutional level and absorptive capacity at both local and central levels, extend access to ‘bridging social capital’. The paper concludes by identifying some potential indicators for monitoring and evaluating the impact of ICT (Information Communication Technologies) using these concepts.
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Research Interests: Sociology and Discipline
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as elsewhere, the one science can achieve nothing without the help of the other (Levi-Strauss, 1963, 25). The difference between anthropology and history, as Levi-Strauss, pointed out is not one of subject, goal or method, but rather in... more
as elsewhere, the one science can achieve nothing without the help of the other (Levi-Strauss, 1963, 25). The difference between anthropology and history, as Levi-Strauss, pointed out is not one of subject, goal or method, but rather in their differing choice of analytical perspective. History organizes its data in relation to conscious expressions of social life, while anthropology proceeds by examining its unconscious foundations (Levi-Strauss, 1963, 18).
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The notion of sustainable development is an additional policy imperative in some government activity. It is clearly connected to creating and applying knowledge through national research efforts, but measures of sustainable development... more
The notion of sustainable development is an additional policy imperative in some government activity. It is clearly connected to creating and applying knowledge through national research efforts, but measures of sustainable development have not been explicitly or systematically incorporated into much research. Under Australia's National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD), public R&D funding and performing agencies must incorporate ESD into their missions. To bring research more into line with national strategies for ESD, the question arises of how to decide what research is relevant to ESD? This paper describes a model for determining the ESD-relatedness of research, and its integration with existing R&D classifications. It discusses the possibilities for, and implications of, using ESD-relatedness as a research funding criterion, and its role in national research policies, particularly in developing countries. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
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Turpin, T., Alyward, D., Garrett-Jones, S., Speak, G., Grigg, LJ and Johnston, R. University and industry research partnerships in Australia : An evaluation of ARC/DETYA industry-linked research schemes. Canberra: Dept. of Education,... more
Turpin, T., Alyward, D., Garrett-Jones, S., Speak, G., Grigg, LJ and Johnston, R. University and industry research partnerships in Australia : An evaluation of ARC/DETYA industry-linked research schemes. Canberra: Dept. of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, 1999.
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Research Interests: Technology, Humanities, Political Science, Policy, Science, and 10 moreCulture, Política, Papers, Society, Organization, Ciencia, Cultura, Tecnología, Sociedad, and Organización
ABSTRACT International scientific collaboration is widely considered a driver of innovation. However, the social processes through which this can occur are complex. It is not only scientists that have a direct interest in international... more
ABSTRACT International scientific collaboration is widely considered a driver of innovation. However, the social processes through which this can occur are complex. It is not only scientists that have a direct interest in international collaboration; but also the institutions or firms that employ them and the governments whose policies are designed to promote collaboration. This article seeks to reveal the social dynamics underpinning this process. Drawing on an empirical study of 79 scientists working in Australia and China we argue that the social process is essentially a system of exchange. Throughout this system, a range of scientific, innovation and social currencies are offered, received and reciprocated. Through the exchange process, scientific and technological capital is accumulated as different expectations are fulfilled and reconciled. Anthropological and sociological literature offers a theoretical framework for the analysis and the findings offer a sociological perspective of scientific collaboration across national innovation systems.
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Careers and organisational objectives: managing competing interests in cooperative research centres Research of potential socio-economic value is often conducted within cross-sector (government, university, business) centres. There has... more
Careers and organisational objectives: managing competing interests in cooperative research centres Research of potential socio-economic value is often conducted within cross-sector (government, university, business) centres. There has been growing interest among science policy researchers in seeking to understand the organizational dilemmas confronted in cross-sector research collaboration. While there is clearly a coalition of interests among partners engaged with collaborative research their broader organizational objectives and strategies may converge, diverge, or even compete. Yet little empirical evidence exists on (a) how individual researchers perceive the benefits of their participation, (b) how far the structures and functions of particular collaborative R&D centres coalesce around of researchers ’ expectations and, (c) what problems arise for researchers who opt for a ‘second job ’ in the centre. Within the broad policy and organizational context of the Australian Coopera...
This paper studies the technology learning process of entrepreneurial local firms in order to understand how these firms have overcome the technological constraints in the process of initial firm creation and sustained technological... more
This paper studies the technology learning process of entrepreneurial local firms in order to understand how these firms have overcome the technological constraints in the process of initial firm creation and sustained technological development. By adopting a multiple case study method, it analyses three case firms in the Sri Lankan garment accessories manufacturing industry from a structural perspective and argues that these successful local firms strategically manage their foreign partnerships in the technology acquisition process and adopt dynamic management strategies in order to overcome technological constraints. It finds that these local partner firms exploit external innovative capacity with the foreign partner firms at the initial stage and later opt to perform cooperatively with the foreign partner firm or exploit the internal skills and capabilities independently depending on the potential of technological contribution from the foreign partner firms during the partnership. The latter option is conditional to the level of local capabilities and industry and market dynamics. The proposed analytical framework based on the empirical analysis has implications for local innovation management strategies of firms and also contribute to the empirical literature by revealing how strategically entrepreneurial local firms in a technologically constrained context overcome systemic disadvantages of weak public research
Research Interests: Business and Engineering
This paper proposes a model of technology management strategies of firms in joint venture partnerships with foreign firms from the perspective of local firms in a developing economy. It is built on empirical analysis of data from multiple... more
This paper proposes a model of technology management strategies of firms in joint venture partnerships with foreign firms from the perspective of local firms in a developing economy. It is built on empirical analysis of data from multiple case firms in two industries in Sri Lanka. It argues that local firms in foreign partnerships in this technologically constrained systemic context adopt dynamic technology sourcing strategies, based on the evolving partnership characteristics. It identifies the level of skills and competency of the local firm and the clarity of roles between the local and foreign partner firms are important dimensions that determine the choice of technology management strategies of the local partner firm
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There is a general consensus in the innovation literature that foreign direct investment (FDI) provides an underpinning mechanism for technological development and economic growth for host nations. However, the literature provides... more
There is a general consensus in the innovation literature that foreign direct investment (FDI) provides an underpinning mechanism for technological development and economic growth for host nations. However, the literature provides inconclusive evidence that FDI will necessarily drive technological development among host firms and lead to longer term sustainable technological benefits. Moreover, how direct technology adoption and associated learning from a developed or emerging economy by firms in less developed economies through FDI benefit host firms is far from clear cut. What we know confidently is that firm growth and development is a complex phenomenon and the strategic use of technology sources in that development process is quite complex. In order to study the learning process in more detail there is a need for more firm-level studies in less developed economies. This will help overcome the limited knowledge base on contextual differences and allow the opportunities for learning about firm growth and development within that context
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This chapter focuses upon science, technology and innovation policy in China. It argues that production in China is predominantly concentrated along the eastern seaboard but innovation appears unevenly spread within this region. An... more
This chapter focuses upon science, technology and innovation policy in China. It argues that production in China is predominantly concentrated along the eastern seaboard but innovation appears unevenly spread within this region. An analysis of indicators of innovation by province shows a pattern of development toward two different types of innovation system: a strong science based system predominantly linked to public institutions and state enterprises, and a commercial system, more responsive to market forces, less science-intensive but more closely linked to the business sector and non-state enterprises. An implication is that unless the two systems become better aligned, market-driven firms will have little choice but to forge alternative innovation alliances with foreign firms.
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Les pays africains ont commenc�� �� se rendre �� l'��vidence que sans des investissements consid��rables dans les domaines des S&T, le continent restera en marge de l'��conomie mondiale du savoir. Certains pays prennent... more
Les pays africains ont commenc�� �� se rendre �� l'��vidence que sans des investissements consid��rables dans les domaines des S&T, le continent restera en marge de l'��conomie mondiale du savoir. Certains pays prennent d'ores et d��j�� des mesures pour instaurer un syst��me national d'innovation qui s' inspire, de mani��re g��n��rale, du mod��le de l'Organisation de coop��ration et de d��veloppement ��conomique (OCDE). Ces efforts sont plus perceptibles en Afrique du Sud o�� la DIRD (en% du PIB) est pass��e de 0, 73% en ...
Page 1. Innovation, Technology Policy and Regional Development Evidence from China and Australia EDITED BY Tim Turpin I Liu Xielin I Sam Garrett-Jones I Peter Burns Page 2. ... Innovation,Technology Policy and Regional Development This... more
Page 1. Innovation, Technology Policy and Regional Development Evidence from China and Australia EDITED BY Tim Turpin I Liu Xielin I Sam Garrett-Jones I Peter Burns Page 2. ... Innovation,Technology Policy and Regional Development This One GUNX-924-EH4A Page 10. ...
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This paper examines how local firms in foreign partnerships adopt dynamic technology management strategies during the partnership. It analyses the technological capability development process of six firms from the two industries of rubber... more
This paper examines how local firms in foreign partnerships adopt dynamic technology management strategies during the partnership. It analyses the technological capability development process of six firms from the two industries of rubber products and garment accessories manufacturing in Sri Lanka. It then proposes a model of dynamic technology management strategies used by firms in foreign joint venture partnerships and takes the perspective of local partner firms operating in a developing economy. It argues that successful local firms in foreign partnerships operating in a technologically constrained systemic context adopt dynamic technology sourcing strategies based on the characteristics of the evolving partnership. It first identifies the level of skills and competencies within the local partner firm, the potential for technological contribution by the foreign partner firm and the level of autonomy of the partner firms. These are important determinants in the choice of technology management strategies of the local partner firm. A model is then developed to demonstrate the behaviour of local firms as they develop their own local technological capabilities. The findings of this research and the model developed have significant implications for the technology management practices of local host firms in developing economies. It is applicable for both to firms that are currently in joint venture partnerships with foreign firms in order to develop technological capabilities for competitiveness, and to those that seek such a partnership
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Trabajo presentado a la 9th Globelics International Conference celebrada del 15 al 17 de noviembre de 2011 en Buenos Aires (Argentina).
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Labour shortages or mismatches are a major factor inhibiting investment and economic development across [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] APEC. In order to establish an appropriate regional response to the supply of skilled labour it is... more
Labour shortages or mismatches are a major factor inhibiting investment and economic development across [Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation] APEC. In order to establish an appropriate regional response to the supply of skilled labour it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive strategy for monitoring labour force demand and supply across the APEC region. This report outlines the reasoning.
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This chapter analyses the role of government in promoting quality innovation in developing economies. The emphasis is on the importance of understanding firms as main actors of innovation that form the central core of the national... more
This chapter analyses the role of government in promoting quality innovation in developing economies. The emphasis is on the importance of understanding firms as main actors of innovation that form the central core of the national innovation system framework. The authors discuss the importance of recognising the range and diversity of innovation firm-level actors in the world’s developing economies and their broad requirements for systemic support in order to capitalize on existing resources within the economy. Using the Sri Lankan national innovation system as a case study, the authors discuss the limited ability of traditional systemic approaches to account for diverse firm requirements in the innovation process. In order to promote quality innovation in firms, it is important that governments in developing economies where resources are scarce build on existing capabilities in innovation and technology
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Research Interests: Business and Stakeholder
Genetically Modified (GM) food has been positioned as a significant innovation with a huge potential for alleviating malnutrition in developing economies. Some potential beneficiaries, however, have been reluctant to accept GM food. Many... more
Genetically Modified (GM) food has been positioned as a significant innovation with a huge potential for alleviating malnutrition in developing economies. Some potential beneficiaries, however, have been reluctant to accept GM food. Many countries have GM food regulations and some have banned GM organisms. This chapter focuses on barriers to diffusion of innovation and analyses the case of GM food diffusion in Sri Lanka using the Rogers's classical model of innovation diffusion. A complete ban on GM products in 2001 was later relaxed to demand only GM labelling regulations, but GM food has not gained a prominent position in the Sri Lankan market. The attributes of GM food perceived by consumers, the communication system, government responses and broader social expectations have been unfavorable to GM food diffusion. The case of GM food innovation in Sri Lanka demonstrates the very social nature of the process, involving far more than seed producers, growers and related commercial enterprises.
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The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program has become the dominant model for "triple helix" cross-sector R&D cooperation in Australia. By comparison with more specialised programs in other countries the CRC program covers a... more
The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program has become the dominant model for "triple helix" cross-sector R&D cooperation in Australia. By comparison with more specialised programs in other countries the CRC program covers a very broad range of fields and objectives and might be described as a "jack of all trades". We argue that this "one size fits all" approach has become a limiting factor in the further development of cross-sector collaboration. Based on a range of prior empirical studies of CRCs we explore the environmental factors which shape the organizational structure of CRCs and identify the points of flexibility required to accommodate the range of missions and structures observed within the centres. Four broad influences are important in shaping the structure of CRCs. These are the changing policy focus of the CRC program; the diversity of missions, objectives and outputs of the CRCs; the expectations of researchers within CRCs which emphas...
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International cooperation and national innovation policies facing global challenges Linking innovation personnel: international networks among scientists
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cooperative research centres program at the
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Technology transfer and human-capital mobility are integral to processes of capacity building that lead to economic and social development. Scientific mobility through in- stitutional channels is argued to be a process in which scientists... more
Technology transfer and human-capital mobility are integral to processes of capacity building that lead to economic and social development. Scientific mobility through in- stitutional channels is argued to be a process in which scientists and engineers can accumulate scientific capitals. This essay reviews the importance of foreign research degrees and postdoctoral positions in the formation of human-capital and social-capital networks. The empirical focus is on six large economies in the Asia-Pacific region, drawing on data from an exploratory survey of scientists publishing in journals indexed in the Science Citation Index (SCI). Mobility for research degrees and postdoctoral research is a significant con - tributor to the formation of scientific and technical human capital, which has been an important driver in economic expansion and social development in the Asia-Pacific region. The results suggest that destinations for postdoctoral positions are more important than destinations...
Innovation ultimately depends on people with innovation skills. The mobility of scientific and technological personnel is becoming a major mechanism for technology transfer via research networks and international collaborations, often... more
Innovation ultimately depends on people with innovation skills. The mobility of scientific and technological personnel is becoming a major mechanism for technology transfer via research networks and international collaborations, often between more and less developed regions and countries. These networks and collaborations develop their full potential through the mobility of scientific personnel and the links they create as they pursue their careers. This paper reports data from a recent study concerning more than 10,000 scientists currently working in Asian countries and Australia but who are also developing links with Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Pacific countries. The paper focuses on joint publications as a way of indicating developing linkages. The focus is Asia but the study has relevance to other areas of the world and could be taken as a model for investigating and highlighting developing knowledge hubs in Africa and indicates areas for further public policy att...
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Research Interests: Business and Engineering
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Copying is an essential part of the diffusion phase of innovation, a view that was once taken for granted. Now that intellectual property rights have been strengthened and extended to cover the world, it is less acceptable. Rights holders... more
Copying is an essential part of the diffusion phase of innovation, a view that was once taken for granted. Now that intellectual property rights have been strengthened and extended to cover the world, it is less acceptable. Rights holders jealously guard their monopolies against piracy and counterfeiting, arguing that strong intellectual property rights (IPR) facilitate not only their own innovation, but also that of the developing world. The pharmaceutical industry is especially strident in advocating an IPR route to innovation, and anxious that those who have trouble regarding information as property see the error of their ways. To this end, it has joined in common purpose with many of the creative industries to lobby governments and the public. The paper investigates their lobbying efforts and finds them curiously clumsy. With such vast resources at its disposal, why does the lobby not do better? Does the lobby aim to obfuscate rather than persuade? The role of copying in innovat...
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... Under TRIPS, each member country can determine the method by which obligations are implemented within its own legal system and practice. ... 7. S. Macdonald, Nothing either good or bad: Industrial espionage and technology transfer,... more
... Under TRIPS, each member country can determine the method by which obligations are implemented within its own legal system and practice. ... 7. S. Macdonald, Nothing either good or bad: Industrial espionage and technology transfer, International Journal of Technology ...
Research Interests: Business, Intellectual Property, Government, Technology transfer, Sceince Technology Policy and Management of Innovation, and 10 moreInnovation Management, South east Asia, Small Firms, Business Strategy, Technology and innovation management, Hot Pressing, Developing World, Management Innovation, Intellectual Property Right, and Government Policies
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The paper is derived from a study carried out among the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR , Myanmar and Cambodia... more
The paper is derived from a study carried out among the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR , Myanmar and Cambodia [Macdonald, Turpin and Ancog (2006)]. The study focused on the relationship between the region's intellectual property rights (IPR) system and the innovation of its SMEs. IPR administrators and policymakers appear convinced that SMEs need IPR to be competitive. They are confirmed in this opinion by pressure to comply with the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS). Despite an extensive survey and many interviews in SMEs and relevant agencies in the ASEAN countries, the authors could find little evidence to support this belief. The business strategy of SMEs relies more on copying and deft, niche-focused marketing rather than on the prevailing IPR system.