Role of intermediary organisations in innovation systems: A case from India

Abstract

In the process of Innovation, Innovation intermediaries are an integral component of the innovation chain. They can serve the role in the ‘market for knowledge’ in relation to the transfer and translation of knowledge and technologies from creators (universities and research organisations) to users (firms). The paper presents the case of an intermediary organisation concerned with technology transfer, National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) in India to assess its role and benefits created in Indian Innovation System. It analyses in detail the activities and performance results of NRDC over past few years on several parameters like- mechanism of technology transfer, number of technologies transferred, variety of organisations as donors of technologies, premium and royalty earnings, and patents filed etc. The role of NRDC as intermediary for a critical period between technology donor and technology recipient till the technology is commercialised or the role of organisation in value addition of technology for its successful commercialisation and other related issues have been well brought out. The paper analyses in depth the role of NRDC on various aspects through some specific cases.