Large public research systems: India's CSIR, the CNRS in France and the CSIRO

During the last decade and a ha, the impact of globalisation and liberal economic policies has moved beyond the market and financial institutions to penetrate the social institution of science. In varying forms, these trends have led to new national science, technology and innovation policies, particularly influencing public research systems (government funded large science organisations and universities) towards commercialisation of scientific research. Public research systems the world over have recently created varying institutional forms to foster intellectual property regimes, efficient technology transfer offices, public-private partnerships and networks steering scientific research and innovation towards market-oriented goals. Scientific research is no longer legitimised merely as a consumption factor or 'public good' linked to attaining social and economic goals but is increasingly driven by market forces and international trade and is evaluated on the basis of science as a market good' This article explores some of the changes experienced by public sector research bodies, focusing on the CSIR, India and drawing comparisons with CSIRO and the CNRS, France.