Purpose

The study aims to investigate how pre-commercial procurement (PCP) influences the activities, capabilities and behaviours of actors participating in the innovation process. Unlike much of PCP research underpinned by a market failure theoretical framework that evaluates the additionality of innovation inputs and outputs, this paper focusses on the role and capacity of PCP in addressing systemic failures impeding the process of innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

PCP effects on the innovation process were studied through a qualitative study of the UK small business research initiative (SBRI) programme. Data collection comprised 33 semi-structured interviews with key informants within 30 organisations and analysis of 80-plus secondary data sources. Interviewees included executives of technology-based small businesses, managers within public buying organisations and innovation policymakers and experts.

Findings

The UK SBRI improves connectivity and instigates research and development (R&D) related interactions and cooperation. Through securing government R&D contracts, small firms access relevant innovation ecosystems, build up their knowledge and capabilities and explore possible routes to market. Public organisations use the SBRI to connect to innovative small firms and access their sets of expertise and novel ideas. They also learn to appreciate the strategic role of procurement. Nonetheless, SBRI-funded small business face commercialisation and innovation adoption challenges because of institutional constraints pertaining to rules, regulations and public-sector norms of conduct.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to existing PCP research by demonstrating innovation process-related effects of PCP policies. It also complements literature on small business-friendly public procurement measures by highlighting the ways through which PCP, rather than commercial procurement procedures, can support the development of small businesses other than just facilitating their access to government (R&D) contracts.

Social implications

The study identifies several challenge areas that policymakers should address to improve the implementation of the UK SBRI programme.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the effects of PCP on the activities, capabilities and behaviours of small businesses and public buying organisations involved in the innovation process.

中文翻译：

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研究与开发的公共采购对创新过程的影响：英国小企业研究计划的证据

目的

该研究旨在调查商业前采购（PCP）如何影响参与创新过程的参与者的活动，能力和行为。与许多以市场失灵理论框架为基础的PCP研究（评估创新投入和产出的额外性）不同，本文重点关注PCP在解决阻碍创新过程的系统失灵中的作用和能力。

设计/方法/方法

通过对英国小企业研究计划（SBRI）计划的定性研究，研究了五氯苯酚对创新过程的影响。数据收集包括对30个组织中的关键信息提供者进行的33次半结构化访谈，以及对80多个辅助数据源的分析。受访者包括以技术为基础的小型企业的高管，公共购买组织内的经理以及创新政策制定者和专家。

发现

英国SBRI改善了连接性，并促进了与研发（R＆D）相关的互动与合作。通过获取政府的研发合同，小公司可以进入相关的创新生态系统，建立自己的知识和能力，并探索进入市场的可能途径。公共组织使用SBRI与创新型小公司建立联系，并获得其专业知识和新颖思想。他们还学会了欣赏采购的战略作用。尽管如此，由于与规则，法规和公共部门行为规范有关的制度约束，由SBRI资助的小型企业仍面临着商业化和创新采用方面的挑战。

研究局限/意义

该研究通过展示PCP政策与创新过程相关的影响，为现有的PCP研究做出了贡献。它还通过强调PCP（而不是商业采购程序）可以支持小企业发展的方式，而不只是促进它们获得政府（R＆D）合同的方式，来补充有关小企业友好的公共采购措施的文献。

社会影响

该研究确定了决策者应改善英国SBRI计划实施的几个挑战领域。

创意/价值

该研究证明了五氯苯酚对参与创新过程的小型企业和公共购买组织的活动，能力和行为的影响。