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Abstract
The Australian agricultural research and development (R&D) sector faces many
challenges associated with the trend to increased collaborative research as promoted
by the Cooperative Research Centre Program. Analysis of the results of an electronic
survey of researchers involved in the sugar industry highlights economic, managerial,
and sociological challenges associated with collaborative research. Researchers’
perceptions of the usefulness of a range of economic and non-economic evaluation
techniques are also highlighted. It is shown that economic evaluation is appropriate
for resource allocation and impact assessment purposes but is of limited value in
monitoring and improving the process of collaborative research. A systems-based
approach to the evaluation of collaborative R&D incorporating principles from
economics, management, and sociology is promoted as an appropriate alternative that
could contribute to improved efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative research
activities.