T. Kuznetsova (HSE)
Post-crisis S&T Policies: a New Framework
Russia has always been one of the major contributors to the world’s S&T complex. But for the last 20 yearsitsS&Tpolicywas developing under unfavourable conditions and was rarely considered as an integral part of economical reforms. The situation is changing, but very slowlyand precariously. While we can see the evidence of serious intentions of the government to transfer economy on innovative model, the reality is far from “ideal”.
The reasons for more active and effective policies come from the analysis of the major science and innovation indicators, results of the special survey, as well as effectiveness of the government initiatives.
From the beginning of the century and until the start of the world crisis the Russian government was able to pump additional resources into science and innovation sphere, thanks to high oil and gas prices. But it was not able to improve the situation perceptibly. Moreover, today we face the same challenges that emerged in the early 1990s.The practical measures to reorganizethe national science and innovation system had not always a positive effect (especially in the context ofdeep integration of science into market economy). Many parts of innovation system still keep the features left from the centralised economy, while relevant and efficient policies were lacking.
The need to innovate in response to the crisis is confirmed by the fact that most industrial nations are implementing recovery packages. They focus on improving not only macro parameters but also on ensuring national competitiveness in the post-crisis period. The Russian government today favours the same approach. But the lion’s share of innovation measures have been adopted and realized outside national anticrisis programme. Another national feature – a considerable number of measures are taken and implemented under the direct supervision of the President and Prime Minister.
Anti-crisis measures that are clearly innovation-oriented, along with other initiatives, are placing considerable demand on the R&D sector. In the broader context, the final task is to concentrate efforts and resources on priority support of the best actors of innovation system (the organizations, projects, scientists). Emphasis will be on the support of centres of excellence and all innovators in real sector (among them – strategic ones). Such policy should be focused on increase of investment appeal of scientific, technological and innovative activity.
At the end of the day – recession or not – Russiashould improve the efficiency of its science and innovation policies. All the necessary transformation processes are undoubtedly under way but they call for a stronger focus on the part of all stakeholders; systemic support from the government; forward-looking innovation-based company strategies; monitoring of all measures, their implications and effects.
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