The research infrastructures in Europe form a heterogeneous group, where differences sometimes seem greater than the similarities. The basis for statistically valid conclusions thus is limited, but some indications may be of interest. The survey is based on interviews that have been done with 50 facilities, but not all RIs could be interviewed for all parts of the survey.
Regarding RIs, different “Markets” exist. One should differ between on the one hand, the demands of the RIs and on the other hand the market, which the RIs supply. This market can be twofold again between industrial as well as scientific users of the RIs. The preliminary findings suggest that in general, the Research Infrastructure demand ”market” is not regarded as a market, as such. The procurement and investment policies seem to be individual and/or national, with little or no efforts to coordinate or exchange definitions, best practices or experiences.
There seems to be a need for development of procedures and strategies, e.g in connection with evaluation of tenders for procurement. Some suppliers, though, regard Research Infrastructures as ”strategic customers” thus prepared to accept lower returns and margins for services and products.
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The MTR intended to analyze the work already done and the preliminary findings made by the project; it also intended to assess and focus ERIDWATCH next year action towards some more precise issues in connection with relationship between RIs and industry.
A summary of the meeting can be downloaded here. (doc file) |
