Universities Innovating for Sustainable Development: Universities Innovating for Sustainable Development:

Commercialization or Free/Open Source Licensing?Commercialization or Free/Open Source Licensing?

World Innovation Forum: Innovating Through World Innovation Forum: Innovating Through SustainabilitySustainability

Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, MalaysiaKuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia

Plenary 4, 2:00 p.m., August 11, 2007Plenary 4, 2:00 p.m., August 11, 2007

Roger PetryRoger Petry

Luther College at the University of ReginaLuther College at the University of Regina

Regina, SK Canada S4S 0A2Regina, SK Canada S4S 0A2

Co-coordinator, Regional Centre of Expertise on Education Co-coordinator, Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development Saskatchewanfor Sustainable Development Saskatchewan

(RCE Saskatchewan)(RCE Saskatchewan)

Phone: 306-585-5295, FAX: 306-585-5267Phone: 306-585-5295, FAX: 306-585-5267

E-Mail: E-Mail: roger.petry@uregina.caroger.petry@uregina.ca, Web: , Web: www.saskrce.cawww.saskrce.ca

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Description of research projectDescription of research project Research methodologyResearch methodology Description of case studies examinedDescription of case studies examined Discussion of findingsDiscussion of findings Concluding reflectionsConcluding reflections

1. Description of Research 1. Description of Research Project: BackgroundProject: Background

Research undertaken through the Research undertaken through the Canadian Plains Studies Doctoral Canadian Plains Studies Doctoral Program, University of Regina, Program, University of Regina, Regina, SK, CanadaRegina, SK, Canada

Research supported by the Social Research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Doctoral Council of Canada (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowships ProgramFellowships Program

Context of ResearchContext of Research

Merging of two policy directions within the Merging of two policy directions within the Government of Canada:Government of Canada:

• formal commitments to Sustainable formal commitments to Sustainable Development (SD) since early 1990sDevelopment (SD) since early 1990s

• formal commitments to technological formal commitments to technological innovation: innovation:

2001 2001 Innovation AgendaInnovation Agenda 2007: Mobilizing Science and Technology 2007: Mobilizing Science and Technology

to Canada's Advantageto Canada's Advantage

• formally linking concept of innovation with formally linking concept of innovation with commercializationcommercialization

Example of Convergence of Example of Convergence of Initiatives in Policy DocumentsInitiatives in Policy Documents

““In support of a growing, competitive In support of a growing, competitive and innovative economy, Canada is a and innovative economy, Canada is a leader in the development, leader in the development, commercialization and adoption of commercialization and adoption of innovative sustainable development innovative sustainable development tools, practices and technologies tools, practices and technologies throughout the economy”throughout the economy”• Vision Statement of Industry Canada's 3Vision Statement of Industry Canada's 3rdrd

Sustainable Development StrategySustainable Development Strategy, 2003 to 2006, 2003 to 2006

Further Technology Option: Further Technology Option: Free/Open Source LicensingFree/Open Source Licensing

distinct alternative to the commercialization distinct alternative to the commercialization modelmodel

allows for a broad-based sharing of allows for a broad-based sharing of intellectual propertyintellectual property

origin in software development: e.g. origin in software development: e.g. GNU/Linux computer operating systemGNU/Linux computer operating system

a new model of development: volunteerism a new model of development: volunteerism applied to goods productionapplied to goods production

Role of Universities in Innovation Role of Universities in Innovation in Canadain Canada

Canada with $12 billion in public R&D Canada with $12 billion in public R&D (i.e., expenditure by governments and (i.e., expenditure by governments and higher-education institutions) in 2005, higher-education institutions) in 2005, highest % of G-7 countries (0.9% of GDP)highest % of G-7 countries (0.9% of GDP)

6.5% of industry-funded R&D in Canada 6.5% of industry-funded R&D in Canada performed by universities; highest % performed by universities; highest % among G-7 (2002)among G-7 (2002)

Canadian universities produce Canadian universities produce approximately 1/3 of all Canadian R&Dapproximately 1/3 of all Canadian R&D

Formal Commitments for Commercialization Formal Commitments for Commercialization of Canadian University Researchof Canadian University Research

Government of Canada and the Association of Government of Canada and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC): Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC): Framework Framework of Agreed Principles on Federally Funded University of Agreed Principles on Federally Funded University ResearchResearch (2002) (2002)

AUCC committed Canadian universities to:AUCC committed Canadian universities to:

• doubledouble their research performance by 2010 their research performance by 2010

• tripletriple their levels of commercialization by 2010 their levels of commercialization by 2010 from $23.4 million income in 1999 to $70.2 million from $23.4 million income in 1999 to $70.2 million

in 2010in 2010 Government of Canada agreed to increase its funding of Government of Canada agreed to increase its funding of

university research:university research:

• $5.0 Billion in sponsored research in 2004 (a 51.5% $5.0 Billion in sponsored research in 2004 (a 51.5% increase from 2001)increase from 2001)

University Commitments to Sustainable University Commitments to Sustainable Development Research (SD)Development Research (SD)

The The Global Higher Education for Sustainability PartnershipGlobal Higher Education for Sustainability Partnership (GHESP) unites four higher education initiatives for SD(GHESP) unites four higher education initiatives for SD

• International Association of Universities (IAU): International Association of Universities (IAU): Kyoto Kyoto DeclarationDeclaration (as of 2004 had over 650 member (as of 2004 had over 650 member universities)universities)

• University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF): University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF): secretariat for the secretariat for the Talloires DeclarationTalloires Declaration on SD (over on SD (over 280 signatories)280 signatories)

• Copernicus Campus managing the Copernicus Campus managing the University Charter University Charter for Sustainable Developmentfor Sustainable Development (over 300 signatories), (over 300 signatories),

• UNESCO: UN agency responsible for managing Chapter UNESCO: UN agency responsible for managing Chapter 36 of 36 of Agenda 21Agenda 21 (chapter for universities from (chapter for universities from Rio Rio SummitSummit 1992) 1992)

Why are universities central to SD Research? Why are universities central to SD Research? University Institutional Capacity for SDUniversity Institutional Capacity for SD

knowledge production central to knowledge production central to university mandateuniversity mandate

established networks for knowledge established networks for knowledge sharing (university and non-sharing (university and non-university networks)university networks)

holding breadth of knowledge holding breadth of knowledge (social, economic, and ecological) (social, economic, and ecological) needed for SDneeded for SD

often holder of unique knowledgeoften holder of unique knowledge

Further Advantages of Further Advantages of Universities in SD ResearchUniversities in SD Research

knowledge over varying spatial scales knowledge over varying spatial scales (local, regional, global) & temporal scales (local, regional, global) & temporal scales (e.g. short and lengthy time horizons)(e.g. short and lengthy time horizons)

ability to integrate knowledge holdings ability to integrate knowledge holdings (e.g. interdisciplinarity) within a single (e.g. interdisciplinarity) within a single institutioninstitution

Institutional autonomy and ability to apply Institutional autonomy and ability to apply SD technology to own organization (e.g. SD technology to own organization (e.g. greening the campus)greening the campus)

Power of Academic Decision-Makers in Power of Academic Decision-Makers in Canadian Universities To Choose Canadian Universities To Choose

Commercialization or Free LicensingCommercialization or Free Licensing Institutional policies in universities and research Institutional policies in universities and research

hospitals generally determining who owns intellectual hospitals generally determining who owns intellectual property (IP):property (IP):• 84.5% policy-determined for inventions, 81.5% for 84.5% policy-determined for inventions, 81.5% for

copyrighted materials, 75.9% for educational materials in copyrighted materials, 75.9% for educational materials in 2004 (see Read:2006)2004 (see Read:2006)

Researchers frequently sole owners of IP (or joint Researchers frequently sole owners of IP (or joint owners--in parenthesis):owners--in parenthesis):• 46.0% of policies with researchers as sole owners of 46.0% of policies with researchers as sole owners of

inventions (21.3% joint), 51.1% for software or databases inventions (21.3% joint), 51.1% for software or databases (18.5% joint), and 69.3% for educational materials (8.6% (18.5% joint), and 69.3% for educational materials (8.6% joint)joint)

90.3% of IP policies grant researchers the right 90.3% of IP policies grant researchers the right not not toto commercialize commercialize

2. Research Methodology2. Research Methodology

General Research QuestionGeneral Research Question: : Is the trend toward Is the trend toward commercialization of university research appropriate commercialization of university research appropriate for universities with a commitment to knowledge for universities with a commitment to knowledge production for sustainable development (SD)?production for sustainable development (SD)?

Secondary QuestionsSecondary Questions::

• What is the understanding of academic faculty (as What is the understanding of academic faculty (as key organizational decision makers) of the relative key organizational decision makers) of the relative merits of commercialization and Free/Open Source merits of commercialization and Free/Open Source licensing models in achieving the sustainability licensing models in achieving the sustainability goals of their specific SD research projects? goals of their specific SD research projects?

• How does this understanding influence their own How does this understanding influence their own intellectual property decisions?intellectual property decisions?

Operationalization of Key TermsOperationalization of Key Terms

Sustainable Development: simultaneously Sustainable Development: simultaneously sustaining:sustaining:

• (1) (1) natural capitalnatural capital: maintaining minimal stocks : maintaining minimal stocks of natural capital (i.e., of natural capital (i.e., strongstrong sustainability) sustainability)

• (2) (2) human capitalhuman capital: meeting basic needs : meeting basic needs (including health and security), sustaining (including health and security), sustaining capabilities/freedoms, and improving quality of capabilities/freedoms, and improving quality of life (i.e., human well-being; see MEA:2003)life (i.e., human well-being; see MEA:2003)

Involves: (1) sustaining capital stocks, Involves: (1) sustaining capital stocks, relationships, and processes; (2) managing relationships, and processes; (2) managing acceptable risks; & (3) ongoing improvements in acceptable risks; & (3) ongoing improvements in each form of capital (i.e. “development”)each form of capital (i.e. “development”)

Knowledge CommercializationKnowledge Commercialization

Knowledge commercialization:Knowledge commercialization: the commercial the commercial exploitation of intellectual property (IP) to generate exploitation of intellectual property (IP) to generate revenues through the production of distinctive revenues through the production of distinctive marketable products and services made possible by marketable products and services made possible by the exercise of the exclusive uses associated with the exercise of the exclusive uses associated with the IP prevented to market rivals. For example:the IP prevented to market rivals. For example:

• revenues from the sale and formal transfer of IPrevenues from the sale and formal transfer of IP

• obtaining royalties from licensing IP (either obtaining royalties from licensing IP (either exclusively to a single firm or non-exclusively to exclusively to a single firm or non-exclusively to several firms)several firms)

• ownership of a spin-off company created to ownership of a spin-off company created to produce the particular good or service exploiting produce the particular good or service exploiting the IPthe IP

Free/Open Source LicensingFree/Open Source Licensing

Note: distinguished from material in Note: distinguished from material in the public domain (due to expiration the public domain (due to expiration of the term of the IP right or formal of the term of the IP right or formal consignment to the public domain)consignment to the public domain)

Free/Open Source Licensing: an Free/Open Source Licensing: an owner’s licensing of intellectual owner’s licensing of intellectual property to allow others the ability to property to allow others the ability to exercise the exclusive rights granted exercise the exclusive rights granted to the owner of the IP to the owner of the IP

Free Licenses Designed to Leverage the Free Licenses Designed to Leverage the Production of more Free Licensed MaterialProduction of more Free Licensed Material

Legal requirement that those who Legal requirement that those who incorporate Free Licensed software into incorporate Free Licensed software into their work and distribute the new software their work and distribute the new software to license the new software under the same to license the new software under the same terms as the original Free Software Licenseterms as the original Free Software License• no further restrictions can be placed on no further restrictions can be placed on

usersusers• ““copyleft” provisions or “share-and-copyleft” provisions or “share-and-

share-alike”share-alike”• E.g., the popular GNU General Public E.g., the popular GNU General Public

License (the GPL)License (the GPL)

Case Studies ApproachCase Studies Approach

use of qualitative method (grounded use of qualitative method (grounded theory) & case studies approachtheory) & case studies approach

five SD research case studies from five SD research case studies from the University of Regina in the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, CanadaSaskatchewan, Canada

in-depth interviews with researchers in-depth interviews with researchers associated with SD research projects associated with SD research projects involving software development involving software development and/or computer scienceand/or computer science

3. Description of Case Studies 3. Description of Case Studies ExaminedExamined

University of Regina located in prairie region of University of Regina located in prairie region of Canada and capital city of the Province of Canada and capital city of the Province of SaskatchewanSaskatchewan

a smaller research university yet with a smaller research university yet with substantial research growth (research income substantial research growth (research income of $9.93 million in 2000 to $23.94 million in of $9.93 million in 2000 to $23.94 million in 2005; 19.2% annual growth rate)2005; 19.2% annual growth rate)

Extensive interdisciplinary and SD ResearchExtensive interdisciplinary and SD Research

University of Regina University of Regina Communities of Communities of TomorrowTomorrow SD Partnership SD Partnership

launched in 2003 launched in 2003 Includes:Includes:

• the University of Reginathe University of Regina

• City of ReginaCity of Regina

• Saskatchewan Industry and ResourcesSaskatchewan Industry and Resources

• Western Economic Diversification CanadaWestern Economic Diversification Canada

• National Research Council (NRC) of the Government of National Research Council (NRC) of the Government of CanadaCanada

$30 million in funding commitments, (including in-$30 million in funding commitments, (including in-kind) over the first five years of operationskind) over the first five years of operations

includes specific commitments to includes specific commitments to commercialization of SD technologycommercialization of SD technology

SD Research Case StudiesSD Research Case Studies

5 Research Case Studies funded by U of R:5 Research Case Studies funded by U of R:

• ““Interactive Learning about Sustainable Resource Interactive Learning about Sustainable Resource Usage”Usage”

• ““Objective and Subjective Assessment of Traffic Objective and Subjective Assessment of Traffic Noise Impact To Residential Areas and Traffic Noise Impact To Residential Areas and Traffic Noise Control in Regina”Noise Control in Regina”

• ““Total Product Assessment for Sustainable Total Product Assessment for Sustainable Consumption”Consumption”

• ““Web-based Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Web-based Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Communities”Communities”

• ““Effects of Pavement Types and Conditions to the Effects of Pavement Types and Conditions to the Environmental Noise of Urban Areas”Environmental Noise of Urban Areas”

4. Discussion of Findings4. Discussion of Findings

• Minority with direct prior experiences with Minority with direct prior experiences with commercialization or F/OS licensing of own commercialization or F/OS licensing of own workwork

• Awareness of both options in academic work:Awareness of both options in academic work: ““Well, I have two computers here. One is Unix. One Well, I have two computers here. One is Unix. One

is Windows. In the world of Unix almost everything is is Windows. In the world of Unix almost everything is Open Source. In the world of Windows almost Open Source. In the world of Windows almost nothing is Open Source…. So one was primarily nothing is Open Source…. So one was primarily created by academics with some research created by academics with some research laboratories, corporate laboratories involved, that's laboratories, corporate laboratories involved, that's Unix. One was created primarily by a company with Unix. One was created primarily by a company with a number of other companies involved all looking for a number of other companies involved all looking for profit… I work in both worlds everyday.”profit… I work in both worlds everyday.”

IP Decisions Regarding SD IP Decisions Regarding SD ProjectsProjects

Most (4 projects) not having made specific Most (4 projects) not having made specific decision regarding commercialization of decision regarding commercialization of SD project at time of interviewSD project at time of interview

Most viewing commercialization as a Most viewing commercialization as a possible optionpossible option• e.g. development of software programse.g. development of software programs

Articulated awareness of university desire Articulated awareness of university desire to commercialize of SD projectsto commercialize of SD projects

Factors In the Development of SD Factors In the Development of SD Technologies: What made SD Technologies: What made SD

technologies possible?technologies possible?

1.1. Motivations of researchersMotivations of researchers• Seeking to achieve multiple objectivesSeeking to achieve multiple objectives

• Includes scholarly dimensions and Includes scholarly dimensions and personal concernspersonal concerns

2.2. Situated opportunitiesSituated opportunities

3.3. Contributions of diversity of Contributions of diversity of organizational and individual actorsorganizational and individual actors

1. Cluster of Factors Motivating 1. Cluster of Factors Motivating Researchers: Researchers: Advancing Own Advancing Own

Research AreaResearch Area Interest in applying research area to Interest in applying research area to

SD problemSD problem SD research providing capacity for SD research providing capacity for

advancing own research area (and advancing own research area (and those of others)those of others)• Multi-dimensional aspects of SD problem Multi-dimensional aspects of SD problem

enabling and requiring interdisciplinary enabling and requiring interdisciplinary collaborationcollaboration

Motivations of Researchers: Motivations of Researchers: Educational GoalsEducational Goals

Creating informed decision-making at Creating informed decision-making at both the:both the:• Organizational level:Organizational level: e.g. policy making, e.g. policy making,

organizational purchasingorganizational purchasing

• Individual level:Individual level: Allowing autonomous reflection and Allowing autonomous reflection and

evaluation for SD (e.g. transit decisions)evaluation for SD (e.g. transit decisions) Motivating individuals to act on SD issueMotivating individuals to act on SD issue

• Including use/take-up of technology Including use/take-up of technology

Education and Education and Focusing on Focusing on User/Learner NeedsUser/Learner Needs

Developing technology for suitability Developing technology for suitability to user needsto user needs• Allowing user experimentation with Allowing user experimentation with

technologytechnology

• Allowing adaptation of technologyAllowing adaptation of technology

Ensuring accessibility of technologyEnsuring accessibility of technology• Availability of technologyAvailability of technology

• Ease of use and intelligibilityEase of use and intelligibility

Motivations of Researchers: Motivations of Researchers: Public ServicePublic Service

Acting to serve public as part of job Acting to serve public as part of job descriptiondescription• Serving citizens (if state university)Serving citizens (if state university)

Seeking to improve quality of lifeSeeking to improve quality of life Focusing on publicly identified issues Focusing on publicly identified issues

of concernof concern

Motivations of Researchers: Motivations of Researchers: Personal ConvictionsPersonal Convictions

Impact of SD issue on individual Impact of SD issue on individual researcher (e.g. researcher’s own researcher (e.g. researcher’s own personal quality of life adversely personal quality of life adversely impacted, e.g. sickness from air impacted, e.g. sickness from air pollution)pollution)

Ethical concerns (e.g, responsibilities Ethical concerns (e.g, responsibilities towards future generations)towards future generations)

Sense of political duty (e.g. “being a Sense of political duty (e.g. “being a good citizen”)good citizen”)

2. Factors in Development SD 2. Factors in Development SD Projects: Projects: Situated OpportunitySituated Opportunity

Identification of problem from local Identification of problem from local observationsobservations• E.g. personal experiences in own householdE.g. personal experiences in own household

• E.g. Discussions with others living in E.g. Discussions with others living in community/neighbourhoodcommunity/neighbourhood

University providing supportive role for University providing supportive role for collaborationcollaboration• e.g. formal U of R commitment to e.g. formal U of R commitment to

interdisciplinarity and SDinterdisciplinarity and SD

3. Factors in Development of 3. Factors in Development of Technology: Technology: Contributions of Contributions of

Diversity of ActorsDiversity of Actors Wide collaboration in research projects Wide collaboration in research projects

around shared interest in SD issuearound shared interest in SD issue

• Academic community: own research Academic community: own research expertise, academic researchers in expertise, academic researchers in other (sub)-disciplines, graduate other (sub)-disciplines, graduate students, university administrationstudents, university administration

• Collaboration with other organizations Collaboration with other organizations with an interest in SD: business, with an interest in SD: business, government, NGO’sgovernment, NGO’s

Nature of Contributions Nature of Contributions Observed in SD ProjectsObserved in SD Projects

Relying on local knowledgeRelying on local knowledge• e.g. local transportation networks and e.g. local transportation networks and

usage, local use and pricing of resourcesusage, local use and pricing of resources• Reliance on outside organizations for Reliance on outside organizations for

data contributions (e.g. local/municipal data contributions (e.g. local/municipal government)government)

Relying on general domain expertiseRelying on general domain expertise• Involving theoretical contributions from Involving theoretical contributions from

multiple disciplinesmultiple disciplines

Further ContributionsFurther Contributions

Relying on Relying on support for scholarly worksupport for scholarly work• Targeted funding by university for SD research Targeted funding by university for SD research

(e.g. hiring graduate students)(e.g. hiring graduate students)• Funding for research equipmentFunding for research equipment• Use of Open Source tools and other freely Use of Open Source tools and other freely

available materials (e.g. data made available in available materials (e.g. data made available in open sources)open sources)

Relying on Relying on places for situated testingplaces for situated testing• E.g. Highway department and testing of road E.g. Highway department and testing of road

surfacing materials; Science Centre and observing surfacing materials; Science Centre and observing children experimenting with game for SDchildren experimenting with game for SD

Challenges in Commercialization: Challenges in Commercialization: Impact on ContributionsImpact on Contributions

Potential loss of contributions of others if Potential loss of contributions of others if turned into a commercial productturned into a commercial product• Dependence on user input and possible Dependence on user input and possible

demand for return if commercializeddemand for return if commercialized• Some contributions potentially central to Some contributions potentially central to

technology viability others merely desirabletechnology viability others merely desirable Challenge finding other contributorsChallenge finding other contributors

• Challenge finding investorsChallenge finding investors• Challenge finding industry partners in right line Challenge finding industry partners in right line

of business to commercialize productof business to commercialize product

Challenges in Commercialization: Challenges in Commercialization: Small Market SizeSmall Market Size

Limited size of marketLimited size of market• Distinctiveness of users for which technology Distinctiveness of users for which technology

designed (e.g. small city with distinct challenges)designed (e.g. small city with distinct challenges)• Requiring customization for usability/optimal useRequiring customization for usability/optimal use

e.g. social factors: language, local travel patterns, e.g. social factors: language, local travel patterns, types of infrastructure/building materialstypes of infrastructure/building materials

e.g. natural factors: geography, local weather e.g. natural factors: geography, local weather conditionsconditions

Lacking ability and resources to customize technologyLacking ability and resources to customize technology• Potentially lacking knowledge of relevant conditions Potentially lacking knowledge of relevant conditions

elsewhereelsewhere• Requiring ongoing updating of data as human and Requiring ongoing updating of data as human and

natural systems evolvenatural systems evolve

Challenges of Commercialization: Challenges of Commercialization: Lack of Strong Market DemandLack of Strong Market Demand

Potential users having a low willingness or Potential users having a low willingness or ability to pay:ability to pay:• Lack of direct immediate benefit (e.g. SD Lack of direct immediate benefit (e.g. SD

concern with future or collective benefits)concern with future or collective benefits)

• Low priority relative to other purchasing Low priority relative to other purchasing priorities (e.g. state budgeting)priorities (e.g. state budgeting)

• Potential users lacking financial resources if Potential users lacking financial resources if commercialized (e.g. those in poverty; commercialized (e.g. those in poverty; financially constrained public institutions)financially constrained public institutions)

Commercialization and Commercialization and Scholarly IdentityScholarly Identity

Financial gain not identified as primary Financial gain not identified as primary motive (despite university motive (despite university encouragement)encouragement)• Though willingness to help economic Though willingness to help economic

sustainability goals as form of public servicesustainability goals as form of public service Commercialization requiring skills and Commercialization requiring skills and

resources beyond those of the researcherresources beyond those of the researcher• Lack of funding to develop and test prototypeLack of funding to develop and test prototype• Challenge determining contractual balance Challenge determining contractual balance

(given uncertainty of benefits and variety of (given uncertainty of benefits and variety of contributors)contributors)

Commercialization and Commercialization and Scholarly RisksScholarly Risks

Concerns regarding publication delays (and Concerns regarding publication delays (and possible pressure not to publicize results)possible pressure not to publicize results)

Risk of technology not being applied if start-up Risk of technology not being applied if start-up company failscompany fails

Risk of foreclosing opportunity to further develop Risk of foreclosing opportunity to further develop technology if sold to private firmtechnology if sold to private firm

Risk regarding integrity of work if perceived as Risk regarding integrity of work if perceived as undermining commercial interestsundermining commercial interests• E.g. technology being bought out by dominant E.g. technology being bought out by dominant

firms in marketplacefirms in marketplace

Potential For Related Commercial Potential For Related Commercial Benefits with Uptake of TechnologyBenefits with Uptake of Technology

Market value of data gathered from Market value of data gathered from technology usagetechnology usage

Service provision in customizing Service provision in customizing technology to specialized needstechnology to specialized needs

Value of demand for downstream or Value of demand for downstream or related productsrelated products• e.g. increased demand for materials such as e.g. increased demand for materials such as

scrap tiresscrap tires• e.g. developing market for ecologically friendly e.g. developing market for ecologically friendly

products and transportation typesproducts and transportation types

Potential for Related Commercial Potential for Related Commercial Benefits (continued)Benefits (continued)

Reduced costs for businesses and Reduced costs for businesses and government through improvements in government through improvements in production methodsproduction methods• Potential for research funding through savingsPotential for research funding through savings

Increased regional competitiveness Increased regional competitiveness through Quality of Lifethrough Quality of Life• attracting human capital to regionattracting human capital to region

• improving efficiency of labourimproving efficiency of labour E.g. labour efficiency impaired by noise pollutionE.g. labour efficiency impaired by noise pollution

Free/Open Source Licensing Free/Open Source Licensing and SD Projectsand SD Projects

Viewing F/OS licensing as compatible with Viewing F/OS licensing as compatible with academic culture:academic culture:• Openness and academic publishingOpenness and academic publishing• Openness required for peer review/verifying Openness required for peer review/verifying

findingsfindings• State university funding and duty for public State university funding and duty for public

availability and availability to all market firms availability and availability to all market firms (vs. specific ones)(vs. specific ones)

• Reducing barriers for other academics to Reducing barriers for other academics to participate in scholarly endeavorsparticipate in scholarly endeavors

Risks with F/OS LicensingRisks with F/OS Licensing

Requiring ongoing maintenance of Requiring ongoing maintenance of projectsprojects• Though this kind of project maintenance Though this kind of project maintenance

viewed as easier with academic skill-set viewed as easier with academic skill-set than commercial product developmentthan commercial product development

Lack of University support for F/OS Lack of University support for F/OS toolstools

Lack of reliability of F/OS softwareLack of reliability of F/OS software

Scholarly Risks and F/OSScholarly Risks and F/OS

Fear of others preempting results if Fear of others preempting results if openly releasedopenly released

Concern that others need not abide Concern that others need not abide by Free Licensing termsby Free Licensing terms• Lack of financial resources to enforce Lack of financial resources to enforce

licenseslicenses

F/OS Business ModelF/OS Business Model

challenging making money through OSS if challenging making money through OSS if given freely awaygiven freely away

However:However:• businesses developing business models around businesses developing business models around

OSOS e.g. open source and advertisinge.g. open source and advertising offering related services for OSSoffering related services for OSS

• actual business interest and support for actual business interest and support for university OS developmentuniversity OS development

interest linked to solving an industry-wide probleminterest linked to solving an industry-wide problem

Non-Market F/OS StrategiesNon-Market F/OS Strategies

potential government, community and individual potential government, community and individual support for F/OSS development linked to support for F/OSS development linked to technology goalstechnology goals

Open Source potentially increasing exposure, Open Source potentially increasing exposure, experimentation, and take-upexperimentation, and take-up• Though still other barriers: e.g. hardware, Though still other barriers: e.g. hardware,

expertise needed to use technology, labour to expertise needed to use technology, labour to support technology within organizationsupport technology within organization

Potential for others to distribute technology Potential for others to distribute technology through non-market meansthrough non-market means• e.g. Science Centre distributing software e.g. Science Centre distributing software

program to school childrenprogram to school children

5. Concluding Reflections5. Concluding Reflections

Need to consider goals of academy Need to consider goals of academy and individual researchers engaged and individual researchers engaged in SD research in harnessing in SD research in harnessing University capacity to innovate for University capacity to innovate for SD:SD:•Faculty researchers choosing Faculty researchers choosing

technology direction based on technology direction based on curiosity/scholarly interestcuriosity/scholarly interest

•Often not a financial motiveOften not a financial motive

Significant Challenges to Significant Challenges to Commercialize SD TechnologyCommercialize SD Technology

Some related to tensions between Some related to tensions between conditions needed to generate SD conditions needed to generate SD technology in universities and conditions technology in universities and conditions needed for their commercializationneeded for their commercialization

Some challenges due to regional Some challenges due to regional challenges in New Economy (see challenges in New Economy (see appendix); implies possible divergence of appendix); implies possible divergence of IP strategies between regionsIP strategies between regions

Some challenges linked to tensions Some challenges linked to tensions between academic goals of researchers between academic goals of researchers and risks with commercializationand risks with commercialization

Free/Open Source Licensing and SD ProjectsFree/Open Source Licensing and SD Projects

Free/Open Source licensing potentially supportive of Free/Open Source licensing potentially supportive of researcher goals for SD researchresearcher goals for SD research• some F/OSS risks needing to be mitigatedsome F/OSS risks needing to be mitigated

Licensing of technologies should build on how SD Licensing of technologies should build on how SD technologies are being developed in academic settings technologies are being developed in academic settings in the first placein the first place• E.g. continue to build on voluntary contributions if E.g. continue to build on voluntary contributions if

possiblepossible Potential for downstream significant business and Potential for downstream significant business and

livelihood opportunities (including commercialization) livelihood opportunities (including commercialization) with broad take-up of some SD technologieswith broad take-up of some SD technologies

New Economy strategies need to factor in potentially New Economy strategies need to factor in potentially disruptive market technologies developed by the disruptive market technologies developed by the academic community (given IP control of faculty)academic community (given IP control of faculty)

Appendix: Regina, SK, Appendix: Regina, SK, Geographic Challenges in the Geographic Challenges in the

New EconomyNew Economy Average growth in Information and Average growth in Information and

Communication Technology (ICT) paid Communication Technology (ICT) paid employment in Canada between 1990 and employment in Canada between 1990 and 2000 was 72.6% (Beckstead 2000 was 72.6% (Beckstead et al.: 2003)et al.: 2003)

• vs. Saskatchewan ICT workers vs. Saskatchewan ICT workers declineddeclined by by 8.9%8.9%

Average growth of ICT paid workers in (defined Average growth of ICT paid workers in (defined as Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with as Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with populations over 100,000) was 79%populations over 100,000) was 79%

• vs. Regina vs. Regina declined by declined by 17%17%

Further SK Challenges in New EconomyFurther SK Challenges in New Economy

Nearest Global City Region (GCR) outside Nearest Global City Region (GCR) outside of province of province • E.g. Calgary, AlbertaE.g. Calgary, Alberta

Dominated by SMEs, Co-operatives, State Dominated by SMEs, Co-operatives, State Enterprises, Government important Enterprises, Government important employer, and strong Voluntary Sectoremployer, and strong Voluntary Sector

Lacking industrial base, large private Lacking industrial base, large private enterprises, and venture capitalenterprises, and venture capital