A guided evaluation of the impact of research and development partnerships on university, industry, and government

Research and development (R&D) partnerships involve investigative activities that may result in new discoveries and innovations that are critical for the technological advancement of the engineering domain. While demonstrating the value of these partnerships is essential for encouraging investment, the engineering domain lacks a formal evaluation framework. In this paper, a methodology and framework for evaluating R&D partnerships is introduced. The effectiveness of the developed framework is tested using a case study that focuses on the role of the university within the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Chair program. Using correlation analysis, the activities and investment areas that lead to the desired outcomes for the university research are identified. By using the developed framework over time and applying it to different research programs and industries, key activities and investment areas can be established and improved R&D policies and implementation plans developed.