Public-Private Partnerships in Science and Technology Sector

Abstract

The article discusses characteristic features of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as an instrument of public management of innovative development. It is noted that after the global financial crisis of 2008–2009, strategic PPPs play an increasingly important role in the implementation of large-scale research and technical programs and projects. They are characterized by a focus on solving long-term issues of innovative and socio-economic development, long implementation periods and significant scale, an emphasis on the development of critical technologies, complexity and expansion of functions of a public partner, as well as high risks of research and development. There are two types of such partnerships – institutional (Joint Technology Initiatives) and contractual. Both of these types are formed based on the European Technology Platforms, however, institutional partnerships involve formation of a legal entity, and contractual PPPs are formed based on agreements between the European Commission and industry associations. It is argued that a variety of forms and types of PPPs, in which public entities and corporations, research and educational institutions, and innovative small and medium-sized companies participate, can contribute to solving the priority tasks of Russia’s innovative development. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to amend the current legislation, which lacks norms regulating general principles and rules for the formation and functioning of PPPs in science and technology sectors. Russia’s regulations contain an extremely narrow definition of the purpose and objects of PPP agreements. The goals are not related to the public innovation policy, and the objects are represented by a closed list of 21 objects, which, with the exception of computer programs and databases, belong to technological complexes of real estate and transport infrastructure. According to the authors, adoption of such a legal act will contribute to implementation of the key national programs, projects and initiatives and boost innovation development of the country.