Large-scale, publicly funded research and development (R&D) programs are implemented to accelerate state-of-the-art science, technology, and innovation applications that are expected to solve various societal problems. The present study aims to build on the body of theory on the mechanisms that promote or impede the creation of intellectual property in such programs. Using a mixed methods approach and combining quantitative network analysis and qualitative semistructured interviews, we conducted a case study to investigate best practices in terms of intellectual property creation in a Japanese governmental research and development program. The results of the network analysis showed that the core/periphery structure in the co-inventor network of patents and joint application by a university and a startup promoted intellectual property creation. The results of the interview confirmed the significance of a reciprocal mindset, which the researchers in academia could acquire through collaboration with a startup. These results suggest that a knowledge logistics system for agile intellectual property management can be established by learning to acquire tacit knowledge on social implementation. Furthermore, we focus on the principal–agent relationship between knowledge producers and knowledge consumers as a factor that impedes the creation of intellectual property. We also discuss adverse selection and moral hazards caused by information asymmetry between knowledge producers and knowledge consumers and how to deal with them.
Motivation is one of the most important factors driving innovative activities such as interdisciplinary research (IDR) and transdisciplinary research (TDR) for the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). While there has been progress in developing ex-post indicators to evaluate their performance, only a few trials have been conducted to explore how researchers’ motivations are related to their proactive participation. To address this issue, this study empirically investigates the effect of researchers’ personality traits on their attitudes toward IDR/TDR collaboration. A questionnaire survey of 228 researchers in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and related interdisciplinary fields was used to test the hypotheses by regression analysis that included interaction terms. The results show that researchers’ intrinsic motivation positively affects both IDR and TDR, while their extrinsic motivation mainly affects TDR. Furthermore, researchers’ personality traits have a significant effect on interdisciplinary collaboration and regional/societal collaboration. These findings provide cues on how to effectively integrate knowledge of IDR/TDR and how to motivate and allocate researchers for successful TDR/IDR collaboration.
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