Аcademic research services
Academic research - the production of scientific knowledge (mainly of a fundamental nature), which is characterized by an independent choice of research direction based on intra-scientific criteria
Contract research
Contractual research is a research activity based on a contractual agreement, according to which the customer (client) stipulates the questions, the answers to which he expects to receive as a result of the research, and the performer (contractor), planning the research, proceeds from the established customer parameters. Thus, the main distinguishing feature of contract research is the focus on the performance of specific research. At the same time, the client and the contractor are legally and economically independent, and the research results are transferred to the client with the right to use after the parties have mutually fulfilled the obligations established by the contract (Teece, 1988).
Institutionalizing Contract Research Abroad
US experience (history of "American exceptionalism"). In the 1920s. in America, an attempt was made to conduct fundamental academic research, which at the same time has an applied direction. This direction of development of scientific research was supported by charitable foundations (Rockefeller, Carnegie). The American government, open to outside knowledge, refrained from establishing its own government research institutes. It can be argued that such government actions not only contributed to the rational use of state budget funds, but also made it possible, through the use and development of external science, to make decisions about whether to launch, develop, or curtail certain programs (Ndofor and Levitas, 2004).
In addition, it was contract research that allowed America during the Second World War to mobilize the scientific and technological potential of the country by attracting funds from the private sector.
During the Cold War and later in the United States, the demand for policy-oriented knowledge was met through the creation of commercial institutions and firms. For example, the RAND Corporation (founded in 1948) became the first private, for-profit research institute to be funded primarily by government research contracts.
The mechanism of public-private partnerships in the field of scientific research has confirmed its effectiveness, but the legislative initiative on the need to evaluate programs contributed to the decision of Congress to create its own evaluation forces (GAO, OMB).
In the future, the following trends in the contract services market can be distinguished:
participation of non-profit institutions (semi-public or semi-private) in contract research;
a significant increase in the number of private commercial research institutes and consulting firms in response to increased demand for applied research results from the business community.
Sweden. Sweden is the leader in political assessment among European countries. A hallmark of the Swedish political system is that assessment is “a ubiquitous element of the Swedish system” (Levin, 1981). For example, Sweden is characterized by the creation of special commissions, which consist of members of parliament, administration, representatives of interest groups and academics, with the aim of developing significant bills and policies. It is important to note that the established committees have funds allocated for contract research aimed at obtaining policy-oriented knowledge. In addition, another characteristic of the Swedish system is the predominance of university research in contract research, thanks to the traditionally close interaction between government and university social science researchers.
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