The Australian business school community is very interested in seeing stronger links between business and universities, especially with respect to ensuring effective leadership and management of research commercialisation, innovation, export development and technology transfer.

ABDC supports including research and innovation as a central component to Australia’s international competitiveness agenda. We however also recommend ensuring effective leadership development, innovation and commercialisation management as well as business engagement are key elements of any strategic public policy to ensure Australia’s ongoing global competitiveness.

ABDC believes that Government initiatives and policies should focus on how to encourage research that is not only academically excellent but addresses industry concerns in an economically meaningful manner. We suggest further examination of the current research priorities to ensure that they are enabling both wider collaboration and increased application of innovative business models and management practices that increase competitiveness. Not only is technological and scientific research vital, but non-technological innovation, developing effective leadership and management practice need to be an increasingly important element of our national strategic policy – therefore ensuring Australia’s long-term economic prosperity, development and global competitiveness.

The full ABDC response to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s future in research and innovation can be read here