The EC Framework Programme and the technology strategies of European firms
The European Commission, DG XIII, has published a report entitled "The EC Framework Programme and the technology strategies of European Firms". The report sets out the findings of a study concerned with the ways in which projects sponsored by the EC Framework Programme are approached and managed by firms and the factors which affect the exploitation of their results. The background to the study lies in the theory that the competitiveness of European firms is related to their efficiency and effectiveness in exploiting the results of R&D. Two issues are put forward under this theory The first relates to the R&D management patterns prevailing in Europe, as opposed to those in other parts of the world. The second concerns the impact of the EC Framework Programme on the ability of firms to exploit the results of EC Framework Programme projects. These two issues are linked. At one level the management of the R&D process is intimately related to the ability to exploit results. At a more basic level, there is a relationship between the fundamental mission of EC R&D to promote Europe's industrial competitiveness, as well as the creativity and innovative nature of European firms. The report is based on interviews with firms which have participated in the ESPRIT, BRITE/EURAM, RACE and ECLAIR programmes.