A Comparative Study of Select Research and Technology Organizations and Some Lessons for Iran

The existence of suitable institutions and institutional regulations are necessary to form innovative systems. One of these institutions is research and technology organizations; the intermediary organizations that play a complementary role in interaction between different components of the system in national innovative systems and their activities complement the missing links of the innovation chain. Available studies indicate that although these organizations create new opportunities for policymakers, their success requires proper explanation of their suitable status and roles in the organizations in the national innovation system. Given the endeavors made over the past few years to establish the national innovation system in Iran and also the outstanding role of research and technology organizations in the formation and effectiveness of the national innovation system, attempts have been made in the present paper to study one of the research and technology organizations of Iran (University Jihad) and shed light on its role and status in the national innovation system by comparing it with three select research and technology organizations. This research conducts the comparative study between the University Jihad and the three goal-oriented select organizations on the basis of experts panel and such criteria as style of management, mission, services, technology, human and financial resources, role in innovation system and international interactions. Four suggestions have been proposed to promote the status of the University Jihad: its status based on the necessity of national development, management compatible with needs, structure based on market/industry and penetration into the industry.