REFLECTIONS ON THE TRANSFORMATION OF EUROPEAN PUBLIC-SECTOR RESEARCH

During the past 25 years there have been extensive changes to the organization and structure of public-sector research (PSR), with convergence between the functions of each sector of PSR. Common trends for managing research include the demand that PSR support industrial innovation, but the unintended side-effects of policies may in fact damage innovation. A review of various theories to explain the transformation of PSR and its impacts suggests we are witnessing part of a continuing pattern of adaptation that is aided by European diversity and policy flexibility.