Public funding of R&D activities in companies is commonly justified by the rationale that free markets do not operate in a socially optimal way. As a result, there are a number of Policy measures that have been taken in various countries to correct this situation. The TAFTIE Agencies represent a measure where Technology Policy implementation is carried out by selective funding of R&D based on expert assessment. There are a number of other mechanisms, like tax incentives and deregulation activities that can be and are being used in parallel to implement Technology Policies.
The objectives for a TAFTIE Agency are set by the makers of Technology Policy, typically some ministry for industry, trade or economy. The Agency implements the Policy with the resources given by the ministry or by the government and the Agency has a number of Actions it can use to carry out the Policy. Even though Technology Policy and Actions vary by country there are lots of similarities.
Technology Policy makers need information on the outcome of the R&D efforts that they finance. It is believed that monitoring and evaluation of financed projects can add more to this information than has so far been the case. It is further assumed that the information, at least to a degree, can be organised in the form of efficient performance indicators. This report suggests a general framework outlining the reporting needed (the demand) and how the information can be sought and presented (the supply).
The primary target population for this document is programme managers and people responsible for evaluation and monitoring activities within TAFTIE organisations. This document is intended to be used to:
enhance evaluation culture and improve the understanding of evaluation and monitoring in the policy context among programme managers
enable transparency and comparability of programmes between TAFTIE Agencies
help in sharing the risks and costs of research
enhance the use of evaluation and monitoring in organisational learning
